According to sources within the PTA, the growing trend in the use of unregistered VPNs is impacting network performance, due to which the authority has urged the IT ministry to expedite the finalization of the long-pending VPN policy.
He also emphasized that the goal of regulating VPNs is not to eliminate their use, but rather to ensure they are registered and in compliance with national regulations.
Sources noted that while VPNs are not banned, there is an urgent need to register them to prevent illegal and unregistered usage, which is increasingly prevalent among telecom users in Pakistan.
With millions of freelancers and IT companies across Pakistan relying on VPNs for their operations, the issue of VPN registration is critical to maintaining the efficiency and security of the country’s digital infrastructure. Sources within the PTA clarified that VPN registration will not harm users as the primary objective is to protect personal data and ensure safe use of these networks.
The PTA has long since formulated a VPN policy to address these concerns, but the policy is awaiting approval from the IT ministry. As internet services continue to slow and unregistered VPN use escalates, the PTA is increasingly pushing for this policy.
“Approval of VPN policies is inevitable and must happen soon to protect the interests of all stakeholders,” said a PTA source, adding that VPN registration will not harm users but ultimately benefit them. The authority also assured users that registered VPNs would not be affected by network firewalls and that their personal data would remain protected.
As the situation continues to evolve, PTA remains committed to ensuring that Pakistan’s Internet infrastructure is protected from the ill effects of illegal VPN use while protecting the privacy and security of its users. The final decision on VPN policies now rests with the IT ministry, whose approval is eagerly awaited by industry stakeholders.
