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The government of Pakistan has initiated the registration of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) as part of a “one-window” operation to ensure that the operations of software companies, call centers, freelancers, and foreign embassies remain legitimate, secure, and uninterrupted.
This initiative is being facilitated by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in collaboration with the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) through their official website.
In a statement, the PTA emphasized that the registration process is designed to support various industries that rely on VPNs for secure online activities. The process is being refined and managed by the PTA, the Ministry of IT, PSEB, and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA). The PTA highlighted that since 2020, over 20,000 IP addresses have already been registered for VPN use under this initiative.
To ensure secure and continuous online operations, users are required to register their VPNs through the official portal at https://ipregistration.pta.gov.pk/.
This development follows the government’s confirmation of the installation of a web monitoring system aimed at managing online content. Earlier, the Cabinet Division formally informed the National Assembly about the implementation of this system.
The PTA has already started using the web monitoring system to block websites and applications within Pakistan. According to the Cabinet Division, 2,369 URLs and 183 mobile applications have been blocked through the system, with the PTA now self-sufficient in content blocking following the system’s upgrade.
The blocked websites were reportedly involved in exposing citizens’ personal data, while the blocked applications were linked to the public disclosure of sensitive identification information. This move reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to regulate online content and enhance cybersecurity measures within the country.
