ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) disclosed on Monday that 25,000 Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have been registered in the country, according to reports.

This revelation came during a Senate Standing Committee on IT meeting chaired by Palwasha Khan in Islamabad. The discussion centered on the ongoing regulation of VPNs, with concerns raised about the absence of the Minister of State for IT for the third consecutive session. The committee summoned the Interior Secretary for the next meeting.

“We have been working on VPN regulations for two years. Registered VPNs ensure uninterrupted internet access without compromising privacy,” the PTA chairman stated.

Senator Muhammad Humayun criticized restrictive policies, highlighting the adverse effects of blocking platforms like X (formerly Twitter) on the IT sector and the livelihoods of 2.5 million Pakistanis. He called for measures that support freelancers and small businesses.

PTA assured that registered VPN users would face no internet disruptions. However, senators demanded clarity on the legal framework for these policies. Senator Kamran Murtaza requested detailed documentation on registration requirements, while Senator Afnan Ullah cautioned against abruptly halting VPN services, warning of potential backlash.

Despite a 20% growth in IT exports last year, Senator Afnan emphasized that Pakistan still trails behind India. The committee also expressed concerns about the sustainability of the current whitelist solution, urging the government to develop policies that prioritize benefits for the IT industry and its stakeholders.

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