The Ministry of Interior issued a directive to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Friday, calling for the immediate shutdown of illegal Virtual Private Network (VPN) services operating in the country.
The letter expressed grave concerns over the misuse of unregistered VPNs, linking them to activities such as terrorism, the dissemination of inappropriate content, and the illegal transfer of funds.
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“Terrorists are exploiting illegal VPNs for unlawful purposes,” the ministry warned, emphasizing that these networks are facilitating access to banned materials and enabling defamatory propaganda.
It further highlighted that unregistered VPN services are being used to access restricted content, including obscene websites, undermining the country’s efforts to maintain a secure digital environment.
The ministry stressed the importance of promoting legal and registered VPNs to address these challenges effectively. “Immediate action should be taken to block all illegal VPNs and encourage the use of authorized services,” the directive stated.
This move aims to bolster cybersecurity and curb the misuse of digital platforms for harmful activities.
