The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has initiated the licensing process for Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers under the restored Class Value-Added Services (CVAS–Data) licensing framework.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the PTA said the move aims to regulate the provision of secure and lawful VPN services in Pakistan, ensuring compliance with national laws, regulations, and data security standards.
The authority has granted Class Licenses to several companies, including:
- Alpha 3 Cubic (Pvt) Ltd (Sterloosed),
- Zeta Byte (Pvt) Ltd (Crest VPN),
- Nexilium Tech (SMC-Pvt) Ltd (Kestrel VPN),
- UK Iconic Solutions (SMC-Pvt) Ltd (Quixor VPN), and
- Vision Tech 360 (Pvt) Ltd (Kryptonim VPN).
According to the PTA, these licensed entities are authorized to provide VPN services to individuals and organizations for legitimate and lawful purposes.
The statement further added that users can now directly obtain VPN services from these licensed providers without the need to register their IP addresses or mobile numbers separately with the PTA. This initiative is aimed at regulatory facilitation, consumer convenience, and enhancing cybersecurity within Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
It is noteworthy that last year, the PTA had allowed freelancers to register VPNs using their mobile numbers. The decision came after the government opted not to impose a blanket ban on VPNs, as the Ministry of Law clarified that the government lacks the legal authority to do so under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.
