ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has received applications from two additional companies seeking approval to operate as VPN service providers in the country. This comes after the authority previously granted licenses to two firms under the class license for data services.
PTA aims to register a total of seven VPN providers by May 2025 as part of its regulatory framework. Officials have indicated that once the licensing process is finalized, the federal government may impose restrictions on specific VPN services based on predefined criteria.
Currently, an estimated 40 VPNs are active in Pakistan, but any decision regarding their restriction will be made at the government level. PTA officials clarified that the authority does not have the power to unilaterally block VPNs at this stage.
The VPN registration process was initiated in December 2024, allowing licensed companies to legally offer their services within Pakistan. The move is part of broader efforts to regulate internet access while maintaining cybersecurity and data privacy standards in the country.
Businesses and VPN service providers interested in obtaining the Class License for the Provision of Data Services in Pakistan can apply online via PTA’s official eServices portal.