The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is using the Web Monitoring System (WMS) to block online applications and websites in Pakistan, the National Assembly has been informed. The minister in charge of the cabinet division revealed that the PTA has blocked 469 mobile applications and websites, including those against the glory of Islam, indecent content, and fraudulent activities.
The WMS was acquired by Pakistan in 2018 from Canada-based company Sandvine for $18.5 million and uses Deep Packet Inspection technology to block VPN traffic. The system enables government surveillance of all internet traffic coming to and from Pakistan.
The minister admitted that despite attempts to block content at the gateway level, it can still be accessed through VPNs. The PTA has registered 20,437 VPNs to date and launched an e-portal for government organizations to lodge complaints and request content removal or blocking.
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