ISLAMABAD: A total of 20,437 VPN service providers have registered with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Under the VPN whitelisting process, so far 1,422 companies have registered their VPNs with the PTA.
According to official documents, 1,286 VPN companies in Pakistan have registered 19,840 VPNs. Freelancers have also begun registering VPNs they use, with 136 freelancers registering 180 VPNs. Additionally, the Pakistan Software Houses Association has registered 417 VPNs. Official sources indicate that the enforcement of PECA Act will only begin once the illegal use of VPNs is curbed. The PTA is collaborating with the Ministry of IT, Pakistan Software Export Board and freelancers to facilitate VPN whitelisting. The PTA has been carrying out the process of VPN registration and whitelisting since 2010.