● Pakistan’s religious advisory body declared using VPNs un-Islamic, coinciding with rising online activism,
● The VPN ban highlights a troubling pattern where religious bodies are used as tools to advance political agendas.
In a striking move, Pakistan’s top religious advisory body recently declared using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) as un-Islamic, but there’s more to it. This controversial decision coincides with growing online activism supporting former Prime Minister Imran Khan, whose upcoming mass protest on November 24 in Islamabad is expected to pose a significant challenge to the current US backed regime. The timing of this declaration has raised eyebrows, with many questioning if it’s a thinly veiled attempt to curb digital dissent ahead of the protests.
Religious Decree or Political Manipulation?
The Council of Islamic Ideology’s pronouncement against VPN usage quickly faced backlash from prominent Islamic scholars. Esteemed clerics, including Mufti Tariq Jamil, have publicly debunked this ruling, arguing that using VPNs is not inherently un-Islamic.
‘If VPN use is un-Islamic, then cellphones are too’: Maulana Tariq Jamil
Ironically, the chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, who supported this decree, has reportedly been using Twitter to comment on the most recent Saudi controversy, something only possible through a VPN given that X (formerly Twitter) is banned in Pakistan. This situation illustrates the selective application of these rules, raising suspicions about the real motives behind the decree.
A Targeted Ban to Suppress Digital Dissent
The decision to ban X and then declare VPNs nonpermissible seems strategically timed, aligning closely with the upcoming November 24 protest given for the first time by the incarcerated Imran Khan himself, from his death cell in prison. With X being inaccessible without a VPN due to the ongoing ban, the unelected government appears intent on limiting the ability of Khan’s supporters and activists to organize and communicate. Over the past year, voluntary activists and PTI workers have used X extensively to highlight the ongoing political crackdown and expose alleged state-sponsored injustices. The VPN ban thus seems like a preemptive move to disrupt this flow of information and stifle the rising digital support for Khan’s movement.
Government Officials Bypass Their Own Ban
Adding to the hypocrisy, top officials from the current regime, including the Prime Minister and his cabinet members, continue to tweet actively despite the nationwide ban on X and the restriction on VPNs. This blatant disregard for their own policies highlights the double standards at play. It reveals an unsettling truth: while the government seeks to silence the voices of its citizens, it exempts itself from the same restrictions, using VPNs to maintain its online presence and narrative control.
The Politicization of Religious Rulings – A Sad History of Pakistan
This latest move to declare VPN usage as un-Islamic follows a historical pattern in Pakistan where religious decrees have been manipulated to serve the interests of those in power. In the past, dictators and regimes have frequently used religious bodies as tools to legitimize control to suppress dissent. The VPN ban, cloaked in the language of morality and cybersecurity, appears to be yet another example of political interests masquerading as religious concerns.
The November 24 Protest: A Critical Juncture
The upcoming mass protest, called by Imran Khan, is poised to be a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s ongoing political turmoil. With growing frustration against the current regime’s policies, including internet censorship and crackdowns on free speech, the protest could amplify public discontent. The VPN ban may be an attempt to hinder the digital mobilization of Khan’s supporters, but it also highlights the regime’s fear of the power of online activism.
The Persistent Politicization of Religious Decrees
Using religious rulings to enforce political agendas has been a recurring tactic in Pakistan’s history, often exploited by regimes to suppress dissent. The recent declaration of VPNs as un-Islamic by religious authorities seems to follow this trend. Far from addressing genuine moral or security concerns, it appears designed to stifle online activism supporting Imran Khan ahead of the critical November 24 mass protest.
This highlights the urgent need for religious institutions to uphold their independence and focus on authentic Islamic principles rather than becoming tools for political maneuvering. Their role should be to provide clear and unbiased guidance based on Islamic teachings, rather than legitimizing the interests of those in power. Without maintaining this integrity, they risk losing their credibility and becoming mere extensions of state control.
