On Monday, the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) asserted that registering virtual private networks (VPNs) could prevent future internet shutdowns in Pakistan. This statement was made during a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom regarding the current VPN situation.
The PTA Chairman highlighted that the authority has already registered 25,000 VPNs under a policy introduced in 2016. He emphasized that proper registration of VPNs would resolve internet issues for businesses across the country.
During the briefing, committee members expressed skepticism over the Chairman’s remarks, particularly his assertion that VPNs are not social media, although they can be used to access social media platforms. This raised questions about the PTA’s understanding of VPN technology.
In response to inquiries about the reasons behind internet service disruptions, the Chairman explained that shutdowns are primarily implemented during security operations in regions such as Balochistan.
The Chairman also suggested that Pakistan’s VPN regulatory framework could be aligned with those of Gulf countries, China, and Turkey, noting the differences between Pakistan’s digital policies and the more controlled environments of these nations.
Several senators present at the meeting expressed their intention to escalate the issue to the Prime Minister, seeking further discussion and potential action on the matter.
