Report says VPN demand more than triples in Pakistan

The demand for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has surged more than threefold across Pakistan following stricter restrictions on social media platforms.

According to Top10VPN, an independent VPN review site, the demand for VPN services in Pakistan increased by 102% on November 25 compared to the average of the previous 28 days. This demand climbed even higher on November 26, soaring 213% above the baseline.

The spike coincided with reports of authorities restricting WhatsApp media sharing ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned protests. Platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have reportedly faced disruptions, according to Downdetector.com, a site that tracks outages on digital platforms.

Frustrated citizens have criticized the lack of an official explanation for the restrictions. While social media platforms can still be accessed through VPNs, users are also contending with slow internet speeds.

The government has confirmed plans to disrupt internet services in areas deemed to have security risks but has not commented on social media restrictions.

Internet disruptions have been reported in several Punjab cities, including Multan, Rajanpur, Gujrat, and Dera Ghazi Khan, with residents experiencing significant challenges in accessing online services.