Interior ministry seeks ban on illegal VPNs being 'exploited by terrorists'
1. VPNs being used for terror activities, accessing pornographic and blasphemous content, says ministry
**ISLAMABAD:** The Ministry of Interior has urged the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block unauthorized Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), citing growing threats to national security and public morality.
In a letter obtained by *Geo News*, the ministry stated, “VPNs are increasingly being exploited by terrorists to facilitate violent activities and financial transactions in Pakistan.” The letter highlighted a troubling trend where VPNs are used to obscure and conceal terrorist communications.
Additionally, the ministry flagged concerns over unregulated VPNs being used to access pornographic and blasphemous content.
Globally, VPNs are commonly used to bypass restricted content. In Pakistan, their usage surged after authorities banned social media platform X (formerly Twitter) earlier this year over national security concerns.
However, misuse remains a significant issue. Pakistanis reportedly make up to 20 million daily attempts to access blocked explicit content via unauthorized VPNs, despite government restrictions.
The ministry further noted, “Pakistan is among the countries with frequent visits to pornographic sites using VPNs, which necessitates the prohibition of unauthorized virtual private networks to address critical threats.”
In its request, the ministry recommended blocking illegal VPNs nationwide while ensuring legitimate users remain unaffected. It proposed a deadline of November 30, 2024, for VPN registration with the PTA.
This comes as the PTA ramps up efforts to regulate VPN usage. Earlier this week, the authority introduced a streamlined registration process to support legitimate users, including IT companies, freelancers, and other stakeholders.
In a consultative session attended by representatives from the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication (MoIT&T), Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Pakistan IT Association (P@SHA), the PTA emphasized fostering a secure digital environment.
The new process allows users to register VPNs through an online platform at **ipregistration.pta.gov.pk**. “The simplified framework ensures uninterrupted access for IT and e-commerce sectors while reinforcing PTA's commitment to Pakistan's growing digital economy,” the authority said.
Since initiating VPN registration in 2010, approximately 20,500 VPNs have been registered, with over 1,422 companies completing the process.
