ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has launched its second trial to block unregistered Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) using a firewall system. The trial, spanning two days, aims to actively block unregistered VPNs as part of ongoing efforts to tighten internet controls.
This follows an earlier successful trial that demonstrated the PTA’s capability to effectively restrict access to unregistered VPNs. The PTA has set a deadline of November 30 for the registration of VPNs, with full-scale blocking of unregistered services beginning December 1.
The new policy, set to be enforced from November 30, will significantly limit internet users in Pakistan from accessing VPNs. Currently, the PTA only permits VPN registration for companies and freelancers using them for commercial purposes. Ordinary users who rely on VPNs for online privacy or to access restricted content, such as news websites or social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), are excluded from this provision.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Interior directed the PTA to block all “illegal VPNs” nationwide, citing concerns over their misuse. The ministry stated that VPNs are increasingly exploited by terrorists to facilitate violent activities and are also used to access pornographic and blasphemous content. Companies were urged to register their VPNs by the November 30 deadline.
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, provides a secure and encrypted internet connection, allowing users to protect their online activity from surveillance, censorship, and data theft. In Pakistan, VPNs have become a necessity for many users due to escalating restrictions and frequent, unexplained social media outages.
Earlier this year, the government blocked access to X in February, citing “national security concerns,” while in July, users reported disruptions in sending and receiving media on WhatsApp—a problem that persists for some. The increasing censorship has led to a surge in VPN usage, with ProtonVPN reporting a 350% increase in sign-ups on November 10.
