Pakistan starts issuing licences to VPN service providers

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has begun issuing licences to Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers to support businesses.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a remote server, essentially forming a private tunnel through the public internet. This tunnel protects your online activities from unwanted surveillance, ensuring both privacy and security.

According to the PTA, two companies have already received licences after submitting their applications.

This initiative aims to help businesses legally use VPN services while ensuring compliance with regulations. The PTA emphasized that the move will improve data security, privacy, and regulatory oversight.

The authority reiterated its commitment to supporting organizations with secure and responsible connectivity.

VPN use in Pakistan has surged following the ban on X (formerly known as Twitter). Last month, the PTA reported that the internet slowdown in the country was mainly due to the increased use of VPNs. The authority explained that the high demand for VPN services has put additional strain on the country’s bandwidth, leading to slower internet speeds.

The PTA has forwarded the report to the Ministry of IT, stressing the need to boost bandwidth to accommodate the growing internet demand.