IT Industry
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman, recently acknowledged the essential role that Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) play, stating that the IT industry cannot function effectively without them.
Speaking before the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications, the PTA chairman explained that the regulatory body had extended the deadline for VPN registration until November 30 due to rising concerns over the misuse of unregistered VPNs.
VPNs, widely used in Pakistan, are vital tools for bypassing internet restrictions, enabling access to otherwise blocked content, and ensuring user privacy.
However, concerns have been raised regarding their unauthorized use for illegal activities, including accessing prohibited content and bypassing governmental oversight.
The PTA has urged all stakeholders within the IT sector, including freelancers and companies, to register their VPNs to avoid facing challenges when the new regulations come into effect.
The PTA chairman highlighted that “common people need VPNs,” pointing out that freelancers and businesses particularly rely on these networks for secure and unrestricted internet access.
He reiterated that the issue of VPN registration was introduced in 2016 and that the PTA had been actively working to streamline the process, including launching a campaign to raise awareness.
As of now, over 25,000 VPNs have been successfully registered. The PTA also reported having blocked over 0.5 million websites containing explicit content, as part of its efforts to control internet safety and security.
According to the PTA, nearly 20 million attempts to access such content were made in a single day last week alone. Despite these concerns, the PTA chairman confirmed that VPNs were not being blocked in Pakistan, emphasizing that these networks are crucial for a functioning IT industry.
Starting December 1, the PTA plans to launch a nationwide crackdown on unregistered VPNs. A trial run for VPN blocking has already been completed, and another is scheduled to ensure readiness for full-scale enforcement.
This follows increased VPN usage in the country after the government’s ban on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) earlier this year, citing national security issues.
To facilitate VPN registration, entities such as software houses, call centers, banks, embassies, and freelancers can now easily register their VPNs online through the PTA’s official website.
The registration process is free of charge, and approvals are typically granted within 8-10 hours. So far, more than 20,000 companies and freelancers have successfully registered their VPNs.
Individuals requiring VPNs for commercial purposes can also apply under the ‘Freelancer’ category, providing the necessary documentation, including employer verification.
Despite these regulatory measures, reports indicate that Pakistanis continue to make millions of attempts daily to access restricted content through unregistered VPNs, highlighting the significant demand for such services in the country.
