In a meeting on Monday, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications expressed its dismay at the absence of the relevant minister and secretary, as well as its concern regarding the throttling of virtual private networks (VPNs) and VPN restrictions in the country.
The utilization of VPNs has increased in Pakistan as a result of the fact that individuals are employing them to access X, which has been prohibited since February, as well as a variety of other websites. Authorities assert that the software is also being employed to circumvent restrictions on pornographic content and to aid terrorists in their violent activities.
Following a disruption that rendered VPNs dysfunctional across the country on November 10, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced last week that VPN restrictions in the future to limit access to pornographic content.
On Friday, the interior ministry requested that the telecommunication authority block “illegal VPNs” throughout Pakistan. The ministry cited the use of these VPNs by militants to “facilitate violent activities” and to “access pornographic and blasphemous content.”
The Senate committee meeting, which was chaired by PPP Senator Palwasha Khan, addressed the issue of VPNs. Khan expressed her dissatisfaction with the absence of the federal IT secretary and Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja. She resolved to address the matter with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“Unfortunately, Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima was absent from the committee’s third meeting,” she stated. She also noted that the internet disruption was causing issues for individuals throughout the nation, as the employment of young people was interconnected with the internet.
“The ministry responds by informing us that the minister is preoccupied on the day we request an answer.” We will now present the entire circumstance to the prime minister.
PML-N Senator Afnanullah Khan, retired Gen Hafeezur Rehman, PTA chairman, PTI Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand, and JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza were present at the meeting that took place today.
The chairman of the PTA stated that the IT industry and freelancers were unable to function without the use of VPNs.
He stated that the internet closure would not affect businesses that had registered VPNs, and that VPNs were not necessary for all freelancers.
He further stated that “anything can be accessed via VPNs in Pakistan at the moment,” and that Islamic scholars were consulted regarding the issue of individuals accessing illicit sites.
Senator Afnanullah emphasized that the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) law did not permit VPN barring under any circumstances, and “wrong” content on Instagram and TikTok could be openly accessed.
Murtaza, in the meantime, observed that internet services were suspended in Balochistan and inquired whether this was also a result of these “unsavory” activities.
The PTA chairman stated that the internet was suspended due to security concerns following a letter from the interior ministry requesting its suspension, as a result of an ongoing operation in Balochistan.
The Senate committee chairperson inquired whether the internet speeds were currently impacted during the meeting, which also addressed the countrywide internet disruptions.
The chairman of the PTA clarified that there was no disruption, except a submarine cable malfunction in August.
The committee agreed to convene another meeting before November 30.
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