The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has refuted media reports claiming that virtual private networks (VPNs) were being blocked across the country.
VPNs are commonly used worldwide to access restricted or blocked content and to maintain user privacy.
In a statement, the PTA clarified, “Recent reports about the PTA blocking VPNs are inaccurate. VPNs are not being blocked in Pakistan.”
However, the authority encouraged IT companies, software houses, freelancers, banks, and similar entities to register their IPs for VPN use to ensure uninterrupted internet services in case of disruptions.
The PTA added that the VPN registration process, which is available on both the PTA and PSEB websites, is a straightforward “one-window operation,” takes only two to three days, and is free of charge.
In August, the PTA’s head informed a parliamentary committee that they were developing a plan to regulate VPN usage by whitelisting certain proxy networks and blocking others.
