Ban on All Free VPNs is Need of the hour for a Secure Digital Pakistan

Cybersecurity experts and policy analysts have renewed their call for a complete ban on all free and unregistered VPN services in Pakistan, warning that such apps have become a growing threat to national security, citizen privacy, and digital safety.

According to analysts, free VPNs—widely used for bypassing restrictions—pose “silent but severe risks,” as most of them operate without any registration, identity verification, or compliance checks. They argue that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) must enforce strict regulation of VPN usage to prevent cybercrime, foreign surveillance, and digital exploitation.

Free VPNs Called the Biggest Cyber Risk

Experts say free VPN applications collect and store massive volumes of user data without consent. These logs are often shared or sold to advertisers, third parties, or unknown foreign entities.

Cybersecurity professionals warn that:

• Free VPNs secretly log browsing history and personal information.

• Unregistered services are frequently used by hackers, scammers, and anti-state operatives.

• Many free VPNs contain malware-based tracking tools.

• Users are unknowingly exposing passwords, financial data, and private communications.

“These apps promise privacy but actually destroy it,” one cybersecurity analyst noted.

Call for PTA to Enforce Strict Licensing

Specialists believe the solution is a nationwide crackdown on all non-licensed VPN services. They urge the PTA to block all unregistered VPN IP ranges and allow only security-vetted, licensed VPNs for personal and business use.

Under the proposed framework:

• Only approved VPNs would be allowed to operate.

• Violators could face penalties, service suspension, or official investigation.

• Businesses using illegal VPNs may experience legal or operational consequences.

• Registered corporate VPNs would undergo compliance checks for safe digital communication.

Officials say this move is essential to strengthen Pakistan’s national cyber defense.

Countries across the region—including India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh—already enforce strict policies on VPN usage. Unauthorized and free VPNs are blocked, and only approved services are allowed for corporate or personal access.

Security experts say Pakistan must follow the same model to safeguard national interests and digital infrastructure.

Analysts conclude that banning free VPNs is not about limiting access, but ensuring safety. Only secure, compliant VPNs can protect user privacy, financial information, and national digital assets.

The proposed ban, they say, is now “a necessary step for a safer and more secure Digital Pakistan.”