**ISLAMABAD**: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) held a consultation session on Tuesday to discuss its new framework for registering Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), aimed at creating a “secure environment” for the IT and e-commerce sectors in Pakistan, according to a press statement.
VPNs are commonly used worldwide to access content that is blocked or restricted in certain countries. In Pakistan, VPNs are often used to access platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and other restricted websites.
The announcement follows reports from across the country of “restricted access” to VPN services, coupled with poor internet connectivity. Digital rights activists have criticized the disruption, calling it an attempt by the government to impose stricter censorship and surveillance on citizens. However, the PTA rejected these claims, attributing the disruptions to a “technical glitch” and urging users to register their VPNs.
The PTA’s consultation session was attended by representatives from the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication (MoIT&T), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).
During the meeting, the PTA introduced a new online portal at [ipregistration.pta.gov.pk](http://ipregistration.pta.gov.pk), allowing legitimate users, including IT companies and freelancers, to register their VPNs. The authority emphasized that the streamlined registration process would ensure uninterrupted access for registered users and support Pakistan’s growing digital economy.
The PTA also addressed concerns about the use of VPNs for illegal activities. As a preventive measure, it encouraged companies and freelancers to register their VPNs to minimize disruptions and ensure smoother operations.
“This consultation underscores PTA’s commitment to fostering a safe, accessible, and compliant digital ecosystem while supporting the IT sector’s growth and safeguarding national security,” the statement read.
This move follows the PTA’s earlier efforts in August to curb VPN usage, particularly in relation to blocking access to the banned social media platform X. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar explained in September that the ban on X was a national security measure, not an infringement on free speech, citing concerns over its use by separatists and terrorists against Pakistan.
Despite public speculation, the PTA clarified in September that it was not blocking VPNs in the country. Instead, it emphasized that VPNs would need to be registered to ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks.
