KARACHI: Industry sources informed Dawn that a “problem with the system” prevented internet users in Pakistan from accessing virtual private networks (VPNs) on Sunday.
Many users complained over the weekend that they couldn’t connect to VPNs using either mobile data or fixed broadband.
Dawn’s questions on Sunday were not answered by a PTA representative, and the organization has not commented on the matter.
Following the government’s February ban on social media platform X, VPN usage has surged in Pakistan. During the months-long internet outage earlier this year, many users were also compelled to use proxy networks in order to get around local infrastructure.
According to unverified social media allegations, the Pakistan Telecomication Authority (PTA) has banned several VPNs.
Authorities assert, however, that the interruption was “brief” and the result of a “glitch” in the system.
An industry insider familiar with the problem told Dawn, “We have been informed by officials that access to VPNs was momentarily disrupted for 30 minutes to an hour due to a glitch in the system.”
Downdetector, an online monitor that detects internet disruption, verified the issue.
According to a graph on the website, users of VPN Unlimited reported connectivity problems at a high rate of ten reports around 6:15 p.m. Likewise, reports were filed by Tunnelbear users as late as 7:29 p.m.
According to two industry sources who spoke to Dawn, the outage also affected businesses that had registered their VPNs with PTA.
In order to provide “uninterrupted” service in the event of an interruption, the telecom regulator has already requested that software companies, call centers, independent contractors, and foreign missions register their VPNs and internet protocol (IP) addresses with the relevant authority.
“PTA is aware that continuous connectivity is essential to [the] IT industry’s effective operation … In September, when users were complaining about sluggish internet speed and frequent disconnections, the authorities issued a statement stating that IP addresses for VPNs were being registered for software houses, businesses, and IT companies.
Since 2020, around 20,000 VPNs and IP addresses have been registered, according to PTA.
Digital rights activist Farieha Aziz claimed in an interview with Dawn.com that this “arbitrary” slowing interferes with daily living.
“It’s totally arbitrary, interfering with daily life and work, and nobody in the government or PTA has yet to provide a clear response—apart from a partial response regarding VPNs, which they have said they are currently registering for.”
The slowdown was “in line with the state’s plans to clamp down on VPNs,” according to Usama Khilji, another activist, who spoke to Dawn.com.
“Businesses will suffer from this, particularly those in the tech and financial sectors.”
