PTA Confirms VPNs Are Not Being Blocked in Pakistan
Earlier PTA announced the registration of VPNs under a "one-window" operation
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed on Tuesday that virtual private networks (VPNs) are not being blocked in Pakistan.
“Recent news circulating in media about PTA to block VPNs, it is clarified that VPNs are not being blocked in Pakistan,” PTA said in a statement.
The authority also stated that VPN registration is a “one-window operation” accessible through the PTA and Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) websites, taking just two to three days and offered free of charge.
A VPN establishes a secure connection between a user’s device and a remote server operated by a VPN provider. This creates an encrypted tunnel that safeguards personal data, hides the user’s IP address, and allows them to bypass website restrictions and firewalls, ensuring greater privacy and security online.
In Pakistan, VPN usage has grown, particularly for accessing blocked websites like Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and during periods of internet disruptions. Users also rely on VPNs for faster browsing, app functionality, and quicker downloads.
Earlier PTA announced the registration of VPNs under a “one-window” operation to support the legitimate, secure, and uninterrupted operations of software houses, call centres, freelancers, and foreign missions/embassies.
In a statement, the authority revealed that more than 20,000 IPs have been registered for VPN use since 2020.
Previously, in response to rumours of a VPN ban, PTA clarified that it is whitelisting VPNs through an “automated process” to ensure the smooth and secure functioning of IT services and online businesses.
This clarification followed PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman’s briefing to the Senate’s Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, where he confirmed that after the whitelisting process, only approved proxy networks would be accessible in Pakistan.
