ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) disclosed on Monday that approximately 25,000 individuals have registered their Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in the country.

The announcement was made during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan. The committee session focused on the ongoing efforts to regulate VPN usage in Pakistan. PTA Chairman, while addressing the committee, emphasized that the regulation of VPNs had been a work in progress for two years, aimed at ensuring uninterrupted internet access while safeguarding user privacy. “Registered VPNs will ensure seamless access to the internet, without compromising user privacy,” the PTA chief stated. However, some members expressed concerns about the impact of these regulations.

Senator Muhammad Humayun criticized the government’s approach, particularly the closure of platforms like X (formerly Twitter), arguing that such measures risked damaging Pakistan’s IT sector and the livelihoods of over 2.5 million people involved in the industry, including freelancers and small businesses.  The committee also sought clarity on the legal framework behind VPN regulations, with Senator Kamran Murtaza requesting detailed documentation outlining the registration process. Senator Afnan Ullah warned of significant backlash if VPN services were abruptly discontinued. While PTA assured that registered VPNs would not face internet disruptions, the committee urged the government to ensure that the regulations would benefit the broader IT sector, which has seen a 20% increase in exports over the past year. However, lawmakers highlighted that Pakistan’s IT industry still lagged behind neighboring countries like India.