VPNs not blocked in Pakistan, but registration required: PTA

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published last year |  JP Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) clarified on Tuesday that Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are not being blocked in Pakistan. However, it emphasized that IT companies, software houses, freelancers, and banks must register their IP addresses to ensure seamless VPN usage and avoid any potential disruptions.

In a briefing last month, PTA Chairman Major General (Retd) Hafeezur Rehman informed the Senate Standing Committee of the Cabinet Secretariat that the PTA is developing a policy to regulate VPN usage. Under this initiative, certain proxy networks will be white-listed, while all other VPNs will be blocked.

According to the chairman, after the policy is implemented, only registered and whitelisted VPNs will be operational in Pakistan.

In recent weeks, internet users across the country have reported slow speeds, raising concerns among VPN users about connectivity issues.

The PTA urges all stakeholders to comply with the registration process for uninterrupted services.