Selective VPNs will be available to use in Pakistan: PTA

• PTA is approving limited VPNs for use in Pakistan.
• Only 30% of Pakistanis use VPNs, making blocking feasible.
• X (formerly Twitter) usage in Pakistan dropped by 70%.

During a session of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, chaired by Rana Mahmoodul Hasan in Islamabad, PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman stated that the PTA is in the process of approving certain VPNs for use in Pakistan, which will result in a limited selection being available.

Rehman pointed out that “Only 30% of people are using VPN in Pakistan,” emphasizing the feasibility of blocking VPNs.

Since February 17, a social media platform has been inaccessible in Pakistan due to national security issues, but it remains reachable via VPN.

The PTA chairman mentioned that the suspension of X, previously known as Twitter, would be revoked upon the government’s directive.

He noted a 70% reduction in X’s usage in Pakistan, despite VPNs being accessible.

Rehman reported that approximately 56% of the population has internet access and projected that the 5G auction would likely occur in the March-April timeframe of the following year.

Regarding taxation of content creators’ earnings from international advertisements, the PTA chairman acknowledged the absence of current legislation.

He disclosed to the legislators that a mere 7% of complaints submitted to the platform over the past three months were resolved, with X showing the lowest compliance rate among all platforms.

Rehman clarified that social media platforms are blocked only upon government request and that they communicate with these platforms regarding any complaints that breach Pakistani laws.

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