Chairman PTA Says No VPN Has Ever Been Blocked, Announces Registration for VPN on Mobile Numbers

Islamabad: Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Lieutenant General (Retd) Hafeez-ur-Rehman, stated that no Virtual Private Network (VPN) has ever been blocked in the country. Speaking at a press briefing following the release of the PTA’s annual digital report, he clarified that while VPNs could be blocked based on court orders or government directives, the authority had no intention of doing so. He also announced that VPN registration is now allowed on mobile numbers.
According to Express News, PTA’s annual report was presented by Director-General Commercial, Arif Sargana, who highlighted the growth of Pakistan’s telecom sector despite economic challenges, with a 17% increase in the sector’s performance. He also noted that Pakistan had earned a spot among the top 40 countries globally in terms of cybersecurity, and women had made significant progress in digital inclusion.
Chairman PTA, Hafeez-ur-Rehman, emphasized that the authority had never blocked any VPNs in the country. “I had previously mentioned in the assembly that while we could block VPNs, we choose not to do so. We have even allowed VPN registration through mobile numbers,” he said. He added that the number of registered VPNs in Pakistan had surpassed 33,000, and those who register VPNs face no issues using the service.
He further explained that services were blocked only on the basis of judicial orders or government directives. “Registered VPN users do not face any problems, and we do not block data services on fixed-line connections,” he said.
Regarding foreign investment, the PTA Chairman pointed out that while direct foreign investment had decreased in the telecom sector, it had declined across the broader economy as well.
In terms of regulatory measures, PTA officials revealed that telecom companies with subpar services were fined as part of the authority’s quality survey. So far, fines totaling approximately Rs. 68 million had been imposed. However, the recovery of these fines had been low, as many companies often sought legal recourse.
The PTA also mentioned that it was conducting surveys on telecom services in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Mobile numbers can now be used for VPN registration without the need for an IP address. Even if IP addresses change, users of registered mobile numbers would remain on the whitelist.
Additionally, PTA plans to register VPN service providers, who will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). A new license for VPN providers is expected to be introduced on January 1, 2025.
The PTA also discussed its efforts to combat grey traffic through the implementation of a web management system in compliance with Supreme Court orders. No websites are blocked unnecessarily; they are only taken down after following due legal process or judicial instructions.
Rehman also highlighted improvements in internet services across Pakistan, with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) now installed in 38 cities. To further strengthen regulatory oversight, PTA is working on ensuring that Special Technology Zones (STZs) are not affected by government instructions and that mobile phones will soon be available on installment plans.
The PTA’s efforts in digital governance and telecom sector growth indicate a commitment to modernizing Pakistan’s digital infrastructure while maintaining regulatory compliance.