Pakistan’s telecom authority is moving forward with its efforts to regulate the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), urging providers to obtain official licenses or risk being blocked in the country.
On April 18, 2025, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced that three companies have now been granted licenses to offer VPN services. The move is part of a broader campaign to tighten control over internet usage and ensure all VPN activity is monitored and regulated under Pakistani law.
The PTA’s push comes as more citizens turn to VPNs to access restricted websites, including the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which has been blocked in Pakistan since February 2024. Many people are also using VPNs to reach other services that have been restricted by the government.
In an official statement, the PTA confirmed the start of its VPN licensing program under the “Class License for the Provision of Data Services in Pakistan.” It noted that companies operating VPN services must now apply for a license to continue functioning legally and avoid service interruptions.
This regulatory plan was first introduced in December 2024. It aims to bring VPN services under local oversight, with the expectation that domestic companies will replace foreign providers that are harder for authorities to monitor.
According to Pakistan’s English-language newspaper The Dawn, the PTA’s strategy reflects a broader goal of enhancing state control over internet access. However, privacy advocates have raised concerns. If users switch to licensed VPNs, their online anonymity could be at risk, as traffic may be visible to government agencies.
The situation marks a growing tension between digital freedom and state regulation in Pakistan, especially as VPN use becomes more common among citizens seeking to bypass censorship.
