PPP Senator Palwasha Khan has announced plans to hold a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications on November 18 to discuss the ongoing restrictions on virtual private networks (VPNs) in Pakistan, despite the absence of the Ministry of Information Technology (IT).
Khan’s decision comes in response to the surge in VPN usage across the country, as people have turned to VPNs to bypass bans on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), which has been blocked since February, along with access to other websites. Authorities claim that VPNs are also being used to bypass restrictions on pornographic content.
On Wednesday, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced plans to further restrict VPN usage in the future, citing concerns over access to adult content and reports of VPNs being used for illicit activities. The move followed a disruption that rendered VPNs temporarily dysfunctional across the country on Sunday.
The interior ministry has also raised concerns about the use of VPNs by terrorist groups to facilitate violent activities. In response, it instructed the PTA to block “illegal VPNs” across Pakistan.
Despite the absence of cooperation from the IT ministry, Khan confirmed the Senate Standing Committee would convene, stressing the need for a full explanation. Speaking to DawnNewsTV, she expressed frustration with the ministry’s lack of response, noting this was the second time the ministry had informed her of its unavailability.
“It’s deeply troubling that despite several calls from the highest body in the Senate, the IT ministry is not showing up to explain the situation,” Khan said. “When the country is facing disruptions in internet services, and citizens’ livelihoods are being impacted, the ministry refuses to engage.”
Khan emphasized that the committee would proceed with the meeting on November 18, even without the ministry’s participation. “We will discuss our concerns about the ministry’s performance and hold them accountable for not addressing these issues,” she added.
The Senator expressed that she would only be satisfied with the ministry’s response if they were willing to attend the meeting and provide a clear explanation. “Until they come and give us an answer, we cannot make a proper assessment,” Khan said, calling the ministry’s absence an attempt to avoid accountability.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the PTA has moved to streamline the VPN registration process for businesses and freelancers. The authority has announced that organizations such as software houses, call centers, banks, and embassies can now register their VPNs online through the PTA’s official website. Freelancers can also apply by providing verification documents from the companies or projects they are working with.
