Pakistan Launches VPN Registration to Support Software Companies Amid Internet Disruptions

The Pakistani government has launched a virtual private network (VPN) registration initiative as part of a "one-window" operation, facilitated by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB). This move comes amid ongoing internet disruptions across the country, reported Business Recorder.

According to a PTA statement, the registration aims to support the uninterrupted operations of software companies, call centers, freelancers, and foreign embassies. The system ensures that these entities can continue their activities securely and without interference.

Since its inception in 2020, over 20,000 IPs have already been registered for VPN use. The PTA, alongside the Ministry of IT, PSEB, and P@SHA, is continuing to refine the registration process. To register VPNs, users can visit PTA’s official portal.

This development follows the government’s installation of a web monitoring system aimed at managing online content. The system, now fully operational, has begun blocking websites and mobile applications that compromise citizens' personal data or expose identification information. So far, the PTA has blocked 2,369 URLs and 183 apps through the system, making it self-sufficient in content regulation.