VPN access restricted in Pakistan amid connectivity issues

ISLAMABAD: Mutiple internet users in Pakistan reported connectivity problems on Sunday, with many experiencing “restricted access “to virtual private networks (VPNs).

VPNs, widely used to bypass internet restrictions and access blocked platforms like X (formerly Twitter), have become a key tool for Pakistani users to access censored content.

Reports on outage tracking site Downdetector confirmed that users of VPN services like VPN Unlimited and Tunnel Bear faced difficulties connecting to their VPNs, with issues peaking in the evening.

Some users shared a list of VPN services that were still functional in Pakistan, but many continued to experience slow connections and limited access.

In August, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had targeted VPN usage to prevent access to banned platforms, particularly X. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated in September that X had been banned for national security reasons, not to suppress free speech. The PTA later clarified that VPNs were not being blocked, but ongoing reports suggest a slowdown in VPN performance.

Digital rights activists have expressed concern over the government’s increasing censorship and surveillance. Farieha Aziz, a digital rights advocate, reported patchy internet and VPN connectivity issues, called the throttling “completely arbitrary.” Usama Khilji, another rights advocate, linked the disruptions to state efforts to impose stricter censorship and surveillance, warning of negative impacts on businesses, particularly in the tech and financial sections.

The PTA has yet to respond to requests for comment on the issue.