London: Pakistan plans to block the use of virtual private networks, or VPNs, to prevent users from accessing social media platform X as they seek to circumvent its current ban.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will conduct a screening process to whitelist compliant VPNs, effectively restricting public access to certain services, The Express Tribune reported on Thursday.
In a meeting with the Senate Standing Committee at the Cabinet Secretariat, PTA Chairman Hafiz Rahman confirmed that only selected VPNs will be allowed after the whitelisting process.
Pakistan blocked access to X ahead of national elections in February this year due to national security concerns and the platform's failure to follow government guidelines and address concerns about misuse of its platform.
The move has been criticized by human rights groups as an attempt to limit the free flow of information.
Rahman said that Mask's platform complied with only 7 percent of content-related complaints from the government over the past three months.
Despite a significant 70 percent drop in X usage in Pakistan, users are circumventing the ban through VPN services that establish a digital connection between a device and a remote server, allowing them to bypass website blocks and firewalls.
During the meeting, Rahman also discussed plans for the 5G auction scheduled for March-April next year. In addition, Azam Nazir Tarar, Minister of Law, addressed the issue of tax on social media income.
Rehman said the PTA was ready to lift the ban on X whenever the government asked.
According to government data, Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world with 57% internet access.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's government has cracked down on users who promote political or religious militancy and make claims against the country's powerful military on social media.
Many internet users have been arrested on charges such as launching a hate campaign against the army.
