Amid widespread and prolonged internet service disruptions across the country, the government has initiated the registration of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) through a “one-window” operation facilitated by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) website, according to a report by the Business Recorder.
The PTA announced that this registration aims to ensure the legitimate, secure, and uninterrupted operations of software companies, call centers, freelancers, and foreign embassies. The registration process is being refined in collaboration with the PTA, the Ministry of IT, PSEB, and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA). Since 2020, over 20,000 IPs have already been registered for VPN use.
To ensure secure and continuous online operations, VPN users are required to register their VPNs through the PTA’s dedicated portal at https://ipregistration.pta.gov.pk/.
This development follows the government’s confirmation of installing a web monitoring system to manage online content. The PTA has already begun blocking websites and applications deemed harmful to citizens’ privacy. According to the Cabinet Division, the PTA has blocked 2,369 URLs and 183 mobile applications linked to the exposure of personal data and the public disclosure of citizens’ identification information.
The web monitoring system, now fully operational, allows the PTA to independently manage and block content that violates national security or privacy regulations. The Cabinet Division formally informed the National Assembly of the system’s implementation earlier in the day, marking a significant step in the government’s efforts to regulate online content in Pakistan.
