VPN registration sparks debate

IT professionals highlight operational hurdles, risks to global competitiveness

KARACHI:

IT professionals in Pakistan have expressed mixed reactions to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority's (PTA) mandate for Virtual Private Network (VPN) registration. While some support the move as a step toward combating scams, others are concerned about its impact on the IT industry's efficiency and growth.

AI Strategist and Workforce Commerce CEO, Khawaja Fahad Shakeel, endorsed the PTA's initiative, citing the need to regulate VPNs usage in light of scams originating from Pakistan. "It is mandatory to regulate VPNs. Important transactions like payments, calls, and other work is done through VPNs. I got registered two years back and have been working comfortably without any hindrances," he said.

Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) former chairman, Muhammad Zohaib Khan, addressed misconceptions in the IT industry, clarifying that illegal VPNs are being banned, not VPNs in general. "Actually, illegal VPNs are being banned, but VPNs are not being banned as they are being registered. This practice takes place worldwide," he stated.

Leading trainer and IT professional, Mehboob Shar, highlighted key challenges despite the government's assurances of whitelisting. "For secure access to international clients, servers, and resources, ensuring data protection and confidentiality, VPNs are fundamental tools for IT professionals working remotely with international clients. Many essential development tools, libraries, and platforms are hosted on servers outside Pakistan. VPNs are often needed to access these resources reliably, and restrictions can hinder development workflows," he explained.

Shar also pointed out that VPNs often assign dynamic IP addresses, which change frequently, making the whitelisting process ineffective. "Although the PTA is trying to make registration quick and easy, whitelisting remains a time-consuming process. International clients count every minute, and delays caused by this process can lead to substantial financial losses," he added, noting that a recent case saw an IT company in Pakistan penalised millions of dollars due to VPN-related delays.

Shar criticised the government's lack of understanding of the IT industry's technical requirements. "Unfortunately, decision-makers in the government are unable to understand how the IT industry operates, especially the crucial role of VPNs for secure access, development tools, and global collaboration. This lack of understanding can lead to detrimental consequences," he warned.

"I am a member of P@SHA and the CEOs group of 920+ IT industry leaders. As Pakistanis, we never thought about relocating due to such challenges. But if this impacts our IT industry and leads to the closure of companies, no one would want to see their business fail. Relocation would then become an inevitable choice," Shar admitted.

The PTA has mandated VPN registration for banks, embassies, IT firms, and freelancers, stating that it aligns with global norms. PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman recently clarified misconceptions, asserting that VPNs are not being banned. "The first VPN in Pakistan was registered in December 2010, and a 15-year period has already been given for VPN registration," he said.