The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has initiated the blocking of unregistered VPNs across Pakistan, according to PTA sources speaking to ProPakistani. The block is implemented through a firewall, with unregistered VPNs temporarily halted for potential whitelisting.
PTA cited security risks associated with unregistered VPNs, which could be used to access sensitive data or illegal content. VPN registration, which began in 2020, has led to the registration of approximately 20,500 VPNs and 1,422 companies so far. The PTA now aims to accelerate the registration and whitelisting process. Many countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and Turkey, have similar restrictions, often allowing VPNs solely for business use, as does Pakistan.
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The recent restrictions have affected free VPN services, causing issues for users attempting to access social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). This move coincides with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ban on the use of X in Pakistan, although he has reportedly continued posting through a VPN.
The PTA did not respond to inquiries about the VPN restrictions, leaving questions about the scope and enforcement of the ban unanswered.
