What PTA’s VPN registration policy means for users

KARACHI: Can the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) block all VPN traffic in the country? IT experts disagree.

In his statement on Saturday, Shahzad Arshad, chairperson of the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan, said, “There is a widespread belief that any VPN not registered with the PTA will be blocked, but that’s an oversimplification.”

This belief has been fuelled by recent efforts by the PTA to enforce a registration process for VPN users, leading many to fear that unregistered VPNs could soon be blocked entirely.

“The PTA can attempt to control VPN traffic, but blocking every unregistered VPN is virtually impossible. VPN technology is inherently designed to adapt, constantly evolving with new protocols and encryption methods, making it challenging for any authority to keep up.”

According to Top10VPN, an independent review website that provides research on issues affecting internet freedom around the world, demand for VPN services in Pakistan more than doubled on February 19 following the blockade on X (formerly Twitter).

VPNs are essential tools for securing internet connections, maintaining privacy and accessing information freely in an increasingly regulated digital world. In countries like Pakistan, where internet access can sometimes be restricted, VPNs offer a way for individuals and businesses to communicate securely and without interference.

According to Arshad, while the PTA has indeed introduced a registration requirement for VPNs, the idea that they can block all unregistered VPNs is based more on misunderstanding than fact.

The PTA does possess certain tools to control and monitor internet traffic. Techniques such as port blocking, deep packet inspection (DPI), and blacklisting known VPN server IP addresses are part of their strategy. However, these measures are limited and often only partially effective.

Globally, even countries that have heavily invested in internet censorship struggle to fully control VPN usage. In several Middle Eastern countries, for example, strict penalties are in place for unauthorized VPN use, yet the technology remains popular among citizens who seek unrestricted access to information.

Users still find ways to circumvent restrictions using stealth VPNs that disguise themselves as regular HTTPS traffic or by switching to new, unlisted VPN servers.

Per Arshad: “Even if the PTA blocks known unregistered VPN servers, many others would spring up in their place. The fear that all VPNs must be registered to remain functional stems from a misunderstanding of both the technological realities and the purpose of such regulations.”

The chairperson explained that VPNs are not solely used for bypassing internet censorship; they are critical for businesses, government agencies and financial institutions to secure their communications and protect sensitive data. Blocking unregistered VPNs could inadvertently impact these legitimate uses, harming Pakistan’s digital economy and disrupting business activities.

To clear up public confusion, Arshad suggested that regulatory bodies should communicate more clearly about what their policies mean and what they can realistically achieve.

“The PTA’s registration process is intended to provide clarity and structure, not to impose an unrealistic blockade on all VPNs. People should not be led to believe that unregistered VPNs will inevitably be blocked; they should understand that VPN usage, in any form, is a dynamic and evolving part of the digital landscape.”