Pakistan On VPN: In India’s neighboring country Pakistan, the country’s top advisory body on religious matters has issued a strange decree. He announced that Virtual Private Network (VPN) used to view banned content on the Internet is against Islamic law. Pakistani authorities deployed a nationwide firewall on Friday (November 15) and stepped up Internet surveillance. Under this, it has been made mandatory for users to register their Virtual Private Network (VPN) with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The government has taken this step with the aim of strengthening cyber security and fighting terrorism.

There has also been talk of issuing a fatwa against VPN in Pakistan. For this, the Council of Islamic Ideology clarified in its opinion that using any technology for immoral or illegal purposes is a violation of Islamic principles. Council Chairman Ragib Naimi has considered using VPN as a sin. He said that VPN technology is also being used to spread misinformation and create anarchy in the society. From a religious point of view, it is becoming a means of weakening the moral structure of the society.

Internet censorship vs. national security
The government argues that VPNs are being misused for terrorist activities, financial crimes and to access pornography. Calling it a national security issue, the Interior Ministry directed PTA to block illegal VPNs. However, critics believe that this step represents a disproportionate control on freedom. While the government claims it is necessary for security, critics argue that it is censorship and an attack on personal freedom.

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