The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) held a consultation session on Tuesday to discuss its new framework for VPN registration, aimed at creating a “secure environment for the IT and e-commerce sectors in Pakistan,” according to a press statement.
VPNs are widely used globally to access content that may be restricted or blocked in certain countries. In Pakistan, VPNs are primarily used to access platforms like X, along with other restricted websites.
The initiative follows reports from internet users across the country who experienced “restricted access” to VPNs, coupled with issues of poor internet connectivity. Digital rights activists criticized the disruption, suggesting it was part of a government effort to “enforce strict censorship and surveillance” on citizens. However, the PTA rejected claims that it was “throttling” VPNs, attributing the disruptions to a “technical glitch” and urging users to register their VPNs.
The meeting, which was attended by representatives from the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication (MoIT&T), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), focused on streamlining the VPN registration process. According to the PTA, legitimate users can now register their VPNs through a new online portal at ipregistration.pta.gov.pk.
The PTA emphasized that the new framework would ensure “uninterrupted access” for IT companies, freelancers, and other stakeholders, underscoring its commitment to Pakistan’s growing digital economy.
The meeting also addressed concerns regarding the use of VPNs for “illegal activities,” with participants emphasizing that companies and freelancers would be encouraged to register their VPNs to avoid disruptions.
“This consultation process highlights PTA’s commitment to fostering a safe, accessible, and compliant digital environment, empowering Pakistan’s IT sector while safeguarding national security,” the statement concluded.
In August, the PTA had intensified efforts to regulate VPN usage, particularly to prevent access to the already banned social media platform X. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar clarified in September that X had been banned due to national security concerns, not to restrict freedom of expression. He noted that “separatists and terrorists” were using the platform against Pakistan, which could not be allowed.
In the same month, the PTA also dispelled rumors that VPNs were being blocked across the country.
