The Pakistan government has begun blocking unregistered Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) as part of a firewall trial, according to ARY News on Monday, citing informed sources.
The unregistered VPNs are being temporarily blocked for white-listing purposes. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has identified unregistered VPNs as a “security risk” for the country, as they could potentially be used to access sensitive information.
The PTA has urged businesses, including IT companies, software houses, freelancers, and banks, to register their IP addresses to maintain VPN access and ensure uninterrupted internet services for authorized users. Those registering are required to provide details about their intended use and business activities.
It’s important to note that the PTA began registering VPNs in 2010, and so far, approximately 20,500 VPNs have been registered.
Read more: PTA signals potential block on unregistered VPNs in Pakistan
VPNs are commonly used worldwide to bypass content restrictions. In Pakistan, for example, citizens have used VPNs to access X (formerly Twitter), which has been banned for several months.
The Pakistani government has stated that it will not lift the ban on X unless the platform formally registers in the country.
In an effort to support business operations, the PTA had earlier launched a one-window operation to streamline IP and VPN registration for companies, call centers, freelancers, and foreign missions.
