The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is crafting a strategy to manage VPN use in Pakistan by allowing certain proxy networks and blocking others, as revealed by PTA Chairman Maj General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman during a recent parliamentary meeting.
In the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat session, Rehman outlined that once implemented, only approved VPNs will function in Pakistan, with others being restricted.
Read more: VPN Demand Soars ‘6,000% in Pakistan’ Amid Censorship
VPN use in Pakistan surged significantly in 2024, primarily to access X (formerly Twitter), which has been banned since February 19. According to Top10VPN, demand for VPNs increased by 131% shortly after the ban.
This high VPN usage has raised concerns about the ban’s effectiveness. Despite this, Rehman noted that X’s user base in Pakistan has dropped by 70%, with only 30% accessing it via VPN. However, X’s user numbers remain relatively low compared to other social media platforms, with DataReportal reporting 4.5 million users in early 2024. Regulating VPN use could impact the IT sector, which depends on VPNs for various functions.
Rehman also warned that a total VPN ban might endanger several IT businesses reliant on these networks. Previous attempts to regulate VPNs, including registration requirements, have seen limited success. In 2022, the PTA sought VPN registration from various organizations to avoid disruptions and had earlier implemented VPN regulations in 2010, though enforcement was sporadic.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, a committee member, noted that several social media platforms accused of violating Pakistan’s security laws have agreed to set up offices in the country, including virtual ones. He proposed taxing social media revenues, reflecting practices in other countries.
Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hasan raised issues regarding taxes on cellular advertisements, while Senator Farooq H Naek suggested that committee members review both national and international legislation to ensure public access to digital services.
