Interior Ministry has directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block unregistered Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in the country, as part of efforts to enhance cybersecurity.
A review meeting held by PTA discussed the implementation of the federal government’s decision, and sources confirmed that unregistered VPN holders will be given a two-week window to register their services. The deadline for registration has been set for November 30. Starting December 1, PTA will begin cracking down on unregistered VPNs.
PTA sources also revealed that a successful trial of VPN blocking has already been conducted, with a second trial scheduled for the coming days.
According to PTA, unregistered VPNs pose significant security risks, as they can access sensitive data and enable users to view objectionable content. Blocking access to such content falls within the PTA’s mandate, and the authority has emphasized the importance of compliance to safeguard national security and prevent misuse.
