The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority has documented 20,437 virtual private networks under its approving operation, including 1,422 organizations. Of these, 19,840 VPNs belong to 1,286 VPN organizations. However, 180 VPNs have been registered from 136 freelancer organizations. PTA has documented 470 VPNs linked with Pakistan’s software houses association Pasha; this initiative is considered part of a broader effort to maintain VPN usage nationwide.
As per the IT Ministry document, Clause 37.1 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, PECA-2007, 16 mandates PTA to block unlawful online content. However, despite geo-blocking strategies at the gateway levels, individuals can still access restricted contact via VPNs, which include traffic routed via foreign servers bypassing state-imposed restrictions.
This practice is considered to pose a challenge for the PTA as VPN users can evade the national policy on banned content by executing private traffic to circumvent gateway controls. The IT Ministry declares that the PTA has been registering VPNs since December 2010 under a guideline issued on 2 December 2010.
As per the Monitoring and Reconciliation of Telephonic Traffic, MRTT Regulation 2010, Clause 6. Scores have also given orders that the PTA take all useful initiatives to block unlawful content effectively. Â
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Despite the challenges and issues posed by VPNs, they are widely executed by legitimate businesses such as call centers, foreign missions, and software houses for secure private network management. To balance these requirements while preventing misuse, the PTA has decided to issue public notices for VPN registration.
The Ministry of Information Technology has decided to highlight that the PTA has handed over IP whitelisting controls to the Pakistan Software Export Board to control one-window operations for call centers and other freelancers.
PTA has decided to facilitate VPN registration for organizations and other freelancers, working closely with stakeholders, for example, PSEB, Pasha, and the Ministry of IT. However, the PTA encounters massive challenges in effectively fulfilling its obligations under PECA without controlling VPN misuse.
There will be various positive impacts of this PTA initiative to document and regulate VPN usageÂ
- Firstly, with proper documentation and registration of VPN, the PTA is now capable of more effectively monitoring and analyzing block access to unlock online content, which will contribute heavily to a safer online environment in Pakistan.
- Secondly, by regulating VPN usage, the PTA can assist in securing sensitive communication, particularly for legitimate businesses like call centers and software houses, which ensures that data transmission over VPN is safe from cyber threats.
- Thirdly, the initiative of PTA supports businesses that rely heavily on VPNs for secure operations. For instance, international firms and freelancers, facilitate a streamlined registration process and guaranteeing their operations are not hindered by misuse regulations.
- Fourthly, by documenting VPNs, the PTA ensures that organizations comply with national cybersecurity policies and regulations, assisting in promoting a more stable and digital landscape.
- Fifthly, the collaboration of PTA with stakeholders, for example, PSEB, PASHA, and the Ministry of IT creates a cooperative approach to VPN regulation, highlighting that the requirements of the business freelancer are considered while maintaining digital security. Through public notices and clear guidelines, PTA is considered to increase awareness among individuals and companies about the vitality and importance of registering VPNs and the potential consequences of misuse leading to a more responsible use of VPNs.