Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman has reaffirmed that Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) remain unblocked in Pakistan, with no plans to restrict them in the future.
Speaking at the launch of PTA’s 2024 annual report, Rahman directly addressed public concerns about potential VPN bans. “We have said it before, and I repeat it now: we could block VPNs, but we won’t. To date, no VPNs have been blocked,” he stated.
Rehman underscored the importance of transparency in PTA’s operations, adding, “Those days are over when we could hide something and it would remain hidden.” Addressing queries about internet shutdowns in the name of national security, he acknowledged the lack of satisfactory explanations in such cases, urging that these questions be directed to policymakers.