PTA gives nod to two firms for VPN services

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has started the licencing of Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers in the country under its "Class Licence" for data services to ensure the legitimate use of private internet gateways.

As part of this process, the country's telecom regulatory body approved the applications of two companies for the grant of class licences to provide VPN services, an official statement said on Monday.

"This initiative enables businesses to utilise VPNs for lawful purposes, ensuring data security, privacy, and regulatory compliance while promoting transparency."

The statement reiterated that the PTA remained committed to supporting organisations in meeting their connectivity needs responsibly. The authority also asked more VPN service providers to approach for licencing purposes.

In November last year, the telecommunication authority introduced a streamlined process for legitimate users to register their private internet gateways after the regulatory body blocked unregistered VPNs in Pakistan to "regulate internet security and ensure the safety of users."

VPNs are commonly used worldwide to bypass restricted content.

In Pakistan, for instance, citizens have used VPNs to access the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) which has been banned for a year now.

In February 2024, the government blocked X, citing "national security concerns." In July, users reported difficulties in sending and receiving media files on WhatsApp, a problem that persists for some even today.

The growing censorship has driven up VPN usage.

Later, a registration mechanism was designed by the PTA with consultations of the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication (MoIT&T), Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and Pakistan IT Association (P@SHA), aiming to foster a secure environment for the IT and e-commerce sectors.

Advocating the registration process, the authority stated that the simplified framework "supports uninterrupted access for IT companies, freelancers, and other stakeholders, reinforcing PTA’s commitment to Pakistan’s expanding digital economy".