How to register a VPN amid looming ban

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Saturday said it streamlined the virtual private network (VPN) registration process for organisations and freelancers.

In a statement, the telecommunication regulator said entities such as software houses, call centres, banks, embassies, and freelancers can register their VPNs online through the PTA's official website. 

The development came a day after Ministry of Interior wrote a letter to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block illegal VPNs, highlighting increasing risks to national security and public morality.

"VPNs are increasingly being exploited by the terrorists," stated the ministry's letter, a copy of which obtained by Geo News, "[…] to facilitate violent activities and financial transactions in Pakistan."

The top telecom regulator has already intensified efforts to regulate VPNs for legitimate users to "regulate internet security and ensure the safety of users". 

The authorities maintained that unregistered VPNs pose a significant security risk, as they may allow unauthorised access to sensitive data. Moreover, they could also potentially provide access to illegal content.

VPNs are commonly used worldwide to bypass restricted content.

In Pakistan, the use of VPNs witnessed a spike after authorities banned social media site X (formerly Twitter) earlier this year over "national security" concerns.

Earlier this week, the regulatory body introduced a streamlined process for legitimate users to register their VPNs.

In a statement today, the PTA said members of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) can also avail this facility. 

It added that the registration involves completing an online form and providing basic details, including computerised national identity card (CNIC), company registration details and taxpayer status.

Freelancers must submit documentation, such as a letter or email, verifying their project or company association, said the statement by the PTA. 

"Additionally, applicants must provide the IP address for VPN connectivity. If a fixed IP address is required, it can be acquired from an Internet Service Provider (ISP)," it added. 

Last week, more than two dozen VPNs were temporarily blocked by the government during a six-hour trial of firewall with both premium and locally accessed services experiencing outages, according to The News report. 

The VPN block trial was the first demonstration of the newly-installed firewall. The experiment highlighted limitations in the country’s internet infrastructure, with noticeable slowdowns reported when the firewall was active.

Officials are now exploring technical adjustments to reduce such strain on the system, balancing regulation with the need for smooth internet performance.