According to PTA sources, companies providing services will be granted a class license for data services. VPN service providers will be registered through this class license. These VPN service providers will be registered locally, allowing for their monitoring and regulation. VPN service providers will be required to set up data centers in Pakistan. PTA will have access to users’ data and browsing history. The government will be able to collect between 100,000 and 300,000 rupees in license fees. VPN service providers will be required to comply with local data protection laws. PTA will be able to identify cyberattacks and track them more effectively.
Sources say that the decision to register service providers was made after consulting with stakeholders. The Pakistan Software Houses Association had requested the registration.
