PTA introduces VPN registration via mobile numbers for freelancers

Move aims to ensure secure and uninterrupted VPN operations for freelancers who lack static IP addresses
A logo of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is seen on its headquarters building in Islamabad on August 16, 2024. — AFP
A logo of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is seen on its headquarters building in Islamabad on August 16, 2024. — AFP

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced a new initiative allowing freelancers to register VPNs using their mobile numbers in order to ensure secure and uninterrupted VPN operations for freelancers who lack static IP addresses.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the PTA said: “To facilitate the legitimate, secure and uninterrupted operations of VPN by freelancers who don’t have static IP addresses, the facility to register VPN against mobile number has been introduced by PTA.”

Freelancers using mobile data connections can now register their VPNs via the PTA’s online portal at https://ipregistration.pta.gov.pk. This simplified process was expected to support the IT industry by making VPN access more accessible and streamlined.

In the statement, the PTA further highlighted its ongoing efforts in facilitating the IT industry, noting that over 31,000 VPNs had already been registered. By introducing mobile number-based registration, the authority hoped to further ease the process for users reliant on mobile data connections.

This initiative was part of a broader effort to balance secure internet usage with the needs of Pakistan’s growing IT and freelance workforce. The PTA reiterated its commitment to ensuring legitimate access to VPNs, providing a necessary tool for freelancers and IT professionals operating in a global market.

The announcement underscored the PTA’s focus on modernising digital infrastructure and supporting the evolving demands of Pakistan’s technology sector.