Internet users in Pakistan are facing growing challenges with VPNs, as many services have become unreliable or blocked. Proton VPN, once a trusted tool for privacy and unrestricted access, is now facing outages and connection problems.
Users report that Proton VPN often fails to connect, crashes unexpectedly, or blocks access to certain websites. Many rely on VPNs to bypass censorship, secure online transactions, or access global content. The recent disruptions have caused frustration among activists, journalists, and everyday internet users.
The issues began after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) launched a crackdown on unregistered VPNs in 2024–2025. Using advanced monitoring tools, the authority can detect VPN traffic and block or slow it. Proton VPN’s Stealth protocol worked temporarily, but complaints increased in early 2025.
Other popular VPNs, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Mullvad, and Psiphon, also report slow speeds, connection drops, and protocol failures. Major ISPs like PTCL, Jazz, and Zong are often cited as affected. Registered VPNs such as Alpha 3 Cubic and Crest VPN continue to operate normally, showing the importance of compliance with PTA regulations.
The demand for VPNs in Pakistan has surged due to internet restrictions and platform blockages. For instance, X (formerly Twitter) has been inaccessible since February 17, 2025, triggering a spike in VPN downloads. Islamabad alone saw over 27 million VPN downloads, a 50% increase from the previous year.
Despite the ongoing issues, no official statement explains the frequent VPN outages. Analysts say VPNs remain essential for online security, business operations, and accessing restricted content. However, users face a growing divide between registered, legal VPNs and unregistered services, which are at risk of being blocked.
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Experts suggest that the Pakistani market could benefit from local VPN development, but government regulations, infrastructure limitations, and competition from global providers remain major challenges.
