Interior Ministry Pushes Ban on Illegal VPNs for Security

The Ministry of Interior has called for a complete ban on illegal Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in Pakistan, citing their misuse by terrorists for “violent activities and financial transactions.”

In a formal letter to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

The ministry highlighted that unregistered VPNs are being exploited to obscure communications and facilitate illegal activities.

“VPNs are increasingly being misused by terrorists,” the letter stated, adding that these platforms have been used to discreetly access restricted and harmful content, including pornographic and blasphemous material.

Surge in VPN Use Amid Restrictions

VPNs, commonly used to bypass internet restrictions.

Gained popularity in Pakistan after the government temporarily blocked social media site X (formerly Twitter) earlier this year due to “national security” concerns.

Despite the restrictions, Pakistanis reportedly make up to 20 million daily attempts to access explicit content using unregistered VPNs, according to the interior ministry.

“Pakistan is among the countries with a high frequency of visits to pornographic websites via VPNs,”

The letter emphasized, warning that such trends necessitate strict action against unauthorized VPNs to mitigate critical threats.

Steps to Address the Issue

The ministry urged the PTA to block illegal VPNs while ensuring legitimate users remain unaffected.

It proposed that all VPNs be registered by November 30, 2024, to streamline their regulation.

In response, the PTA recently enhanced its VPN registration process, aiming to foster a secure digital environment for the country’s IT and e-commerce sectors.

“PTA has introduced a simplified VPN registration process through an online platform at ipregistration.pta.gov.pk,” said a PTA statement.

This initiative ensures uninterrupted access for IT companies, freelancers, and other stakeholders, supporting Pakistan’s growing digital economy.

Progress on VPN Registration

The VPN registration framework has been in place since 2010, and approximately 20,500 VPNs have been registered to date.

Over 1,422 companies have successfully completed the process.

The PTA emphasized its commitment to safeguarding legitimate use while addressing security and public morality concerns posed by unauthorized VPNs.