Daily Times

The recent developments suggest that we should be ready to live without Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in Pakistan. Earlier, the country was made to live without popular social media site X. We no longer complain about Internet shutdown or slow internet streams. There is debate ongoing on pros and cons of crackdown on unregistered VPNs. On one hand, the government claims that this step is necessary to curb illegal and unethical online activities. On the other, it lacks words when critics cite its potential to harm Pakistan’s growing IT industry and restrict online freedoms.

Despite domestic and international criticism, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) is coming down slow. It has announced that non-registered VPNs will stop functioning after November 30. This decision primarily targets those using VPNs to access blocked content. However, the crackdown will soon extend beyond illegal activities and will disrupt legitimate use, especially in the IT sector. The major sufferers will be freelancers and software developers who rely heavily on VPNs to access global platforms and maintain secure communication with international clients.

The PTA’s clarification that only commercial VPNs are being registered has failed to calm the unrest among stakeholders. The Senate Standing Committee on IT questioned whether PTA has the legal authority to block non-commercial VPNs. Legislators say that the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, does not authorize such bans.

Chairperson of the Senate Committee Senator Palwasha Khan reminded the PTA that internet disruptions, social media restrictions and now VPN bans will only jeopardize the standing and future of 2.5 million freelancers in Pakistan. The sector is growing and is contributing significantly to the economy and positions Pakistan as a global IT hub. Slowing internet speed and limiting access to global networks undermine this potential.

Then the tech-savvy circles get a religious touch as the Islamic Ideology Council (IIC) recently declared VPN use for accessing blocked or illegal websites as ‘un-Islamic’. However, it was left to scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil to tackle IIC, arguing that banning tools like VPNs reflects narrow-mindedness. He questioned whether the same logic could apply to mobile phones, as they too can access unethical content.

Long story short, blocking VPNs, social media sites and restricting internet access are not long-term solutions. These steps only disrupt IT operations and discourage foreign investment. Instead, the government should focus on digital literacy, proper regulation, and improving cybersecurity to address online concerns. *