A number of internet users complained on Sunday about restrictions on virtual private networks (VPNs), saying they were unable to connect to them.
The disruptions to VPNs continued for several hours, which occurred on both broadband and mobile data.
Several individuals that Digital Rights Monitor (DRM) contacted confirmed that they were unable to connect to their premium and local VPNs.
There has been no comment on the disruptions from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) so far.
However, according to a report by Dawn.com, which cites industry sources, the disruptions occurred due to an “issue with the system”. A report by Geo, on the other hand, says the VPNs were temporarily blocked by the government during a trial of firewall.
Earlier in August, the PTA confirmed that it was following through with its plan to “whitelist” VPNs to “regulate” their use.
The telecom regulator said that VPNs were being whitelisted for “smooth and secure of the IT services and online businesses”.
The use of VPNs surged in Pakistan following the suspension of X (previously Twitter) on February 17, 2024, over a week after the general elections were held. The platform remains banned, with the interior ministry citing unspecified threats to national security as the reason for its suspension.
