The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been actively whitelisting VPN services, with a total of 20,437 VPN service providers now registered across Pakistan. Out of these, 1,286 companies have registered 19,840 VPNs, while freelancers have also joined the process, with 136 freelancers registering 180 VPNs. The Software Houses Association (P@SHA) has contributed by registering 417 VPNs.
In total, 1,422 companies have registered their VPNs with the PTA. Government sources indicate that the enforcement of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) will follow once the unauthorized use of VPNs is fully curtailed. The PTA has been overseeing the registration and whitelisting of VPNs since 2010.
In addition to VPN management, the PTA has blocked 469 mobile applications, including 435 Android apps and 34 Apple apps. These applications were blocked due to their involvement in anti-Islamic content, promoting immorality, and fraudulent activities.
Furthermore, PTA officials clarified the purpose of the cybersecurity audit, which is conducted annually under the Cybersecurity Regulations of 2002. The audit, carried out by third-party auditors, ensures the sustainability of telecom infrastructure and cybersecurity for consumers, maintaining transparency and adhering to international standards.
