The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has initiated the licensing process for Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers under a Class License category for data services, approving two companies in the first phase.
In a statement released on Monday, the telecom regulator confirmed that companies offering VPN services must now obtain this license to operate legally in Pakistan. This move follows PTA’s renewed efforts to regulate VPN usage while ensuring businesses can continue using them for legitimate purposes such as secure data transmission and privacy compliance.
VPNs are widely used to access restricted or blocked content, including platforms like X (formerly Twitter) in Pakistan. However, authorities have long sought a mechanism to regulate their use.
The PTA emphasized that the licensing initiative aims to provide businesses with legal VPN options, ensuring security and transparency in the industry. “This step enables businesses to use VPNs responsibly while complying with regulatory requirements,” the statement read.
The decision comes after the PTA devised a new strategy in December 2024 to register VPNs, following earlier unsuccessful compliance measures. While the authority had previously considered banning VPN services, it ultimately opted for regulation instead.
With the new framework in place, organizations requiring VPN services must now apply for the Class License, ensuring adherence to national data policies and security regulations.
