PTA has clarified that any blocking of VPNs is carried out in accordance with the law and under the directives of the government.
The regulator emphasized that VPNs can be whitelisted through a streamlined process available on PTA and Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) websites. This measure is aimed at supporting legitimate online businesses and ensuring uninterrupted services for authorized users.
The clarification follows recent media reports on the matter and comments made by PTA Chairman Major General (R) Hafeez Rahman before the Senate Standing Committee on IT & Telecom. Rahman had stated that while VPNs could be completely blocked, PTA opted for a whitelisting approach to minimize disruptions to businesses.
PTA’s statement reaffirms its commitment to balancing national security concerns with the needs of the digital economy.