By Zainab Shafiq 
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is all set to bring forth a new policy over its country’s use of Virtual Private Networks. PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman went on to reveal that with the new policy, only approved and recognized VPNs in Pakistan will be able to function. This move, it seems, had emerged as a response to the rapid increase in the usage of VPNs in 2024, mostly carried out to access the blocked social media site X.
Top10VPN pointed out a 131% increase in VPN demand on the 19th of February, only two days after the block on X. On the back of these numbers, VPN provider Surfshark reported a 300-400% surge in new user acquisition rates. However, number-wise, the drop from Pakistan in X users since the ban is 70%; 30% of them are still able to access the platform through VPNs – possibly undermining the efficacy of the ban.
Ban of VPNs in Pakistan can negatively affect IT businesses
The PTA chief admitted that it was not easy to regulate VPNs, as a blanket ban would also negatively impact numerous IT businesses dependent on the same technology. All previous attempts at regulating the use of VPNsāincluding a 2010 regulation attempt and a 2022 drive for registrationā basically remained ineffective. The new policy is meant to look into better management and regulation of the VPN within the country, coupled with balancing the concerns of national security with the operational needs of the IT businesses.
The PTA’s decision in this regard is part of its renewed efforts toward containing content and access on the internet. The new policy dictates that VPN providers must seek approval from PTA authorities for operation, and companies and individuals using VPNs must ensure their service provider is PTA-authorized. Exactly how far this new policy in regard to VPN will work and make a difference can only be gauged once this is implemented as part of the PTA’s efforts in bettering the condition over internet censorship circumvention.
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