In response to an uptick in illegal Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) use due to slow internet speeds across Pakistan, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has urged the Ministry of IT to expedite the finalization of a VPN policy.
The PTA advocates for the registration of VPNs, emphasizing that using registered VPNs will protect users’ data and ensure existing firewalls do not impact them.
The PTA’s recommendation aims to curb the proliferation of unregistered VPNs, which it believes are a key contributor to network congestion and slow internet services. Rather than imposing a ban on VPNs, the authority seeks to implement a structured registration system to enhance online security and service efficiency.
Read: PTA Chairman Clarifies Firewall Focus on Gray Traffic, Not VPNs or Social Media
During a press conference, Shaza Fatima, the Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, highlighted that “the excessive use of VPNs in Pakistan is a major cause of internet slowdowns.”
Read: IT Minister Shaza Fatima Blames VPN Usage for Internet Slowdown in Pakistan
The minister’s statement underscores the government’s concern over the impact of unregulated VPN usage on the national telecommunications infrastructure. This proposed registration policy addresses these challenges by bringing VPN use under a regulatory framework that supports security and performance.
