Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Begins Blocking Unregistered Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

According to reports, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has started temporarily blocking unregistered VPNs until they comply with registration requirements. PTA has discontinued free VPN services available online, mandating users to register their VPNs.

PTA states that unregistered VPNs pose security risks in Pakistan as they can access private information or illegal content. The authority’s role is to protect user data and restrict access to illegal material.

Sources from PTA indicated that VPN registration began in 2010, and over the past 14 years, around 20,500 VPNs have been registered, with more than 1,422 companies having registered their VPNs so far. PTA also expressed a desire to speed up the VPN registration and whitelisting process.

Countries like China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and others have blocked unregistered VPNs. The UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have also started this process, and only a few countries allow VPNs strictly for business purposes. PTA clarified that there are no restrictions on VPN use for business purposes in Pakistan.

Internet users across Pakistan reported issues accessing social media and other websites via VPN, citing an inability to connect through their VPN services.