Censorship and surveillance remain prevalent in Pakistan. Thousands of websites get banned each year, and the government controls a large share of the media landscape. On top of that, freedom of expression is curtailed using penalties and censorship.
With a VPN, users in Pakistan can circumvent internet restrictions and navigate the web privately.
NordVPN hides your IP address, thereby hiding your location, and lets you browse the internet using an IP address from countries like the US, UK, and Canada. By using an international IP address, you can view websites and apps restricted in Pakistan.
Read our full article below to learn more about censorship in Pakistan and how to circumvent it.
In Pakistan, internet freedom is heavily restricted. The authorities maintain tight government control over the online media landscape through strict censorship and routine internet shutdowns. As a result, people in Pakistan face many obstacles to a free internet.
In this article, we go into detail on the state of censorship in Pakistan and recommend the best privacy and security tools for Pakistan residents.
Overview: The State of Censorship in Pakistan
- Pakistan is one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists, with an average of 3 to 4 murders per year, often connected to corruption or illegal trafficking.
- Many popular apps and websites remain banned in Pakistan, including Tinder, Grindr, DeviantArt, Fanfiction.net, and several subreddits on Reddit.
- Porn is illegal in Pakistan. More than 150,000 websites with “salacious content” have been banned as a result.
- Pakistan uses DNS tampering, HTTP proxies, and IP address blocking to control what residents see on the internet.
If you live in Pakistan, we recommend using a virtual private network (VPN) to prevent government monitoring and unblock restricted websites.
The best VPN for Pakistan is NordVPN, which has a 30-day trial for new users. The mobile app protects you against tracking and unblocks apps and websites with a single click.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
Growing online censorship and surveillance in Pakistan
The censorship of print and electronic media is not a new development in Pakistan. Although the internet was meant to democratize the media landscape, instead, strict censorship of digital media has prevailed.
- The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Ordinance criminalizes the online defamation of authorities. As of 2022, the ordinance now considers defamation a non-bailable offense, and the maximum prison term has been increased from three to five years.
- In May 2023, the Pakistani government detained over 4,000 people, including protesters and opposition political party members. This was done on the vague grounds of protecting social order and national security, reports Human Rights Watch.
- In 2021, over 1,000,000 URLs were blocked in Pakistan for containing “inappropriate content.” This included pornographic content, anti-government sentiment, and criticism of Islam.
- In 2022, a citizen was sentenced to death for sending “blasphemous” messages over WhatsApp. Since 1990, an estimated 80 people have died in connection to allegations of blasphemy. Victims include those who were accused, their family members, their lawyers, and at least one judge.
Treatment of Pakistani journalists and online activists
Journalists risk high levels of harassment and violence in Pakistan, especially when reporting on topics that are considered sensitive.
- Pakistan is considered a dangerous country for journalists. In 2023, the Pakistani information ministry reported that at least 42 journalists were killed in Pakistan during the last four years. Of these cases, only one saw an arrest for the murder suspect.
- A 2018 study showed that as many as 88% of journalists in Pakistan exercise self-censorship, particularly when reporting on religion or the armed forces. 2 out of 3 journalists also said they have been threatened or attacked because of their work.
- In March 2018, women’s rights activists were assaulted during the Aurat Azadi March (Women’s Emancipation March) during International Women’s Day. Video footage showed religious extremists throwing stones, bricks, sticks, and shoes.
Social media platforms are often blocked in Pakistan
Many apps and websites are permanently or temporarily blocked in Pakistan.
- In 2021, social media platforms began to rigorously moderate content and gave authorities the power to censor at will, following Pakistan’s adoption of the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Content Rules.
- In 2022, Google received 9,803 content removal requests in Pakistan. Over 95% of the removal requests came from the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority.
- In 2020, Pakistan banned several dating apps, including Tinder, Grindr, Tagged, Skout, and SayHi because of “immoral” and “indecent” content. Popular websites like DeviantArt and Fanfiction.net, as well as certain subreddits on Reddit, are also banned in Pakistan.
Why Does Pakistan Censor the Internet?
Internet censorship in Pakistan targets websites and blogs that promote political or religious dissidence. Content that challenges Islam and pornography is also at risk of censorship, according to data provided by the Open Observatory of Network Interference.
The alleged incentive for this censorship is to protect national security and prevent misinformation from spreading. However, there are underlying motivations:
- Maintain the moral standard of the state religion by banning any objectionable content that offends it
- Silence political dissent, disallowing any critique of the actions of the government, law enforcement agencies, or security services
In recent years, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also moved to block censorship circumvention tools such as proxies and VPNs. These services allow internet users to navigate the web freely.
What Content is Censored in Pakistan?
As a deeply religious state, the Pakistan government claims it is primarily focused on censoring secular views and satire of Islam. Sometimes, however, the reason for a ban or internet restriction is political.
Pornography
Pornography remains illegal in Pakistan, and, as of 2022, the PTA has blocked access to 150,000+ websites and pages that contain “salacious content.”
The government also blocks general nudity and sexual content, as well as most porn-related subreddits on platforms like Reddit.
Satire
Satirical comedy websites that challenge Islam, Pakistan’s government, and its prime minister are also subject to censorship by the PTA. When trying to access such websites, you’ll be confronted with a redirection.
Looking up the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo from inside Pakistan brings you to a message reading: “Surf Safely! The website is not accessible. The site you are trying to access contains content that is prohibited for viewership within Pakistan as per the law.”
Anti-Islamic content
Around 25% of blocked pages in Pakistan, a Muslim-majority country, were censored for being critical of Islam or offending “Islamic morality.”
In a high-profile case in 2015, anti-terrorism courts handed a thirteen-year prison sentence to Rizwan and Saqlain Haider for sharing “hateful messages against the companions of the Prophet Mohammed” on Facebook.
Under the Blasphemy Law, defiling the Quran results in a life-long prison sentence. Defaming the Prophet Muhammad is met with a death sentence.
Social media platforms
It’s common for the Pakistani government to block social media platforms, resulting in severe limitations on citizens’ freedom of expression.
During periods of political unrest, such as protests, the government restricts access to popular apps like Twitter and Facebook. In 2018, the Pakistani government blocked social media and content-sharing websites, including Twitter and Facebook. This was in response to the violent Tehreek-e-Labaik protests.
All major Pakistani fixed-line and mobile service providers put restrictions in place to limit citizens’ free internet access. On top of that, frequent internet shutdowns make it impossible for citizens to access information being spread on social networks.
How Does the Government of Pakistan Censor the Internet?
The Pakistani government has an array of tools to censor the internet. Besides collaborating with internet service providers (ISPs) to block specific content or websites, they also have far-reaching legal grounds for their actions.
Social media companies are not exempt from censorship, either. Pakistan has a history of blocking Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other popular websites.
State-owned infrastructure
The government has major control over Pakistan’s internet connectivity. Most of Pakistan’s internet infrastructure is in the hands of the Pakistan Internet Exchange, which in turn, is controlled by the state-owned Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited.
By ensuring that most of the nation’s internet traffic moves through the PIE, the PTCL can impose strict licensing conditions on national ISPs, forcing them to comply with the PTA’s censorship requests.
Legislation
Pakistan has several laws in place that enforce censorship and criminalize dissenters online.
| Legislation | Description |
|---|---|
| The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act | PECA grants the Pakistani government, the PTA, and the military forces the power to censor unlawful online content for national security reasons. Article 20 of PECA, which deals with offenses of defamation in digital spaces, allows the government of Pakistan to impose up to five years of imprisonment and a 10 million rupee fine (over $120,000). The law is routinely used to silence online commentators. |
| The Anti-Terrorism Act | There are several documented cases in which the government tried individuals for sharing “morally objectionable” material on Facebook, all under Section 11-W of the Anti-Terrorism Act. |
| The Pakistan Penal Code | The Pakistan Penal Code criminalizes hate speech, particularly on social media websites. Promoting “feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities” is illegal. |
DNS tampering, HTTP proxies, and website blocking
The PTA uses the following to block hundreds of thousands of websites:
- DNS tampering (or DNS spoofing): This refers to the practice of redirecting certain site requests to different (or even fraudulent) websites. The Pakistani government spoofs the address of a website they wish to block in the Domain Name System (DNS) so that it leads elsewhere instead.
- HTTP proxies: These are a type of high-performing content filter. They exist between your browser and the web server. For censorship purposes, a Pakistani network operator can use an HTTP proxy to intercept requests and deny users access.
- Website blocking: To block a website, an internet service provider will simply blacklist the IP address of the website. When you’re trying to reach it, the ISP will drop your connection, making it impossible to reach the site.
With stringent licensing conditions, the PTCL ensures that all local mobile and broadband networks comply with the blocking orders.
Surveillance
Pakistani security forces conduct surveillance on the digital communications and internet usage of their citizens. They are allowed to keep any personal data for up to one year and even share that data with foreign governments and agencies.
PECA also allows the Pakistani Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to confiscate data and devices without a warrant and access and decrypt the traffic data of telecommunication subscribers.
The Pakistani government has invested in technology such as FinFisher to eavesdrop on private communications, with the technology enabling remote surveillance such as keylogging, webcam or microphone access, and password collection.
Bypass Censorship: How to Unblock Websites in Pakistan
Online censorship in Pakistan infringes on human rights. If you live in Pakistan or plan to travel there, it’s important to know how to circumvent these restrictions safely.
There are different ways you can get around censorship:
- Use a VPN when you go online to encrypt your identity and activities. With a VPN, you can change your IP address, bypass geo-blocks, and prevent tracking and other security concerns.
- Use an HTTP proxy site. Your IP will be replaced with that of the proxy server, allowing you to get around restrictions. Keep in mind that proxies are not as safe as VPNs. While you can use it to circumvent censorship, your identity may well be exposed.
- Use the Tor browser. The Onion Router (Tor) is a system of encrypted nodes that hide your IP address. It’s used by the media industry in regions with high censorship. We do recommend reading up on the Tor browser before you get started with it since it’s not without risks.
Warning:
Even with these precautions, you should be careful when posting in Pakistan about religion, the military, or the government. Never give away your real name and other personal information. Turn off your GPS. And always use a VPN so authorities won’t see your IP address (which is tied to your location).
What Are the Best VPNs for Pakistan?
To access independent news and blocked sites, you need a virtual private network (VPN). With a secure VPN, you will no longer be tracked online. On top of that, you can get access to restricted apps and platforms.
Unfortunately, not all VPNs work in Pakistan. We tested over 20 VPN providers and narrowed it down to a top 5. Here’s a comparison of their main features.
| Features | NordVPN | Surfshark | CyberGhost | ExpressVPN | PIA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of servers | 5,400+ | 3,200+ | 9,700+ | 3,000+ | 33,000+ |
| Number of countries | 60 | 100 | 91 | 94 | 84 |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, Lightway | OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP |
| Price | From $3.99 a month | From $2.30 a month | From $2.11 a month | From $6.67 a month | From $2.11 a month |
| Obfuscated servers | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Unblock social media | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Access pornography | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Purchase | Get NordVPN | Get Surfshark | Get CyberGhost | Get ExpressVPN | Get PIA |
Below, you’ll find overviews of each service to help you decide which VPN provider is right for you. You can also read our test results and find step-by-step guides in our dedicated article on the best VPNs for Pakistan.
1. NordVPN: The best VPN for Pakistan
What We Like
- Verified no-logs provider
- 5,400+ servers: unblocks all apps and sites
- Obfuscated servers to hide VPN use
What We Don't Like
- No local servers in Pakistan
NordVPN is our best VPN for Pakistan, thanks to an excellent mobile app, competitive pricing, and the ability to unblock everything, from independent news sites to pornography and dating platforms.
Features:
- 5,400+ servers: These provide international IP addresses to unblock websites banned in Pakistan. You can get an IP address from the US, UK, Canada, Netherlands, and other countries.
- Built-in kill switch: This tool makes sure your IP address is never leaked in case your VPN connection fails. This is essential to keeping your VPN use hidden from the government.
- Obfuscated servers: These VPN servers are configured specifically to hide your VPN use from your ISP and any websites you visit. This makes NordVPN more effective at unblocking streaming sites like Netflix.
- No-logs policy: This means that not even NordVPN has data on your browsing and download activity. Even if the Pakistani government demands to see user data, NordVPN will have nothing to hand over.
You can try NordVPN risk-free for 30 days if you make use of the 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
2. Surfshark: The best Pakistan VPN for Android
What We Like
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Protection against malware and ads
- 3,200+ servers to unblock all content
What We Don't Like
- Relatively new VPN
Surfshark is the best VPN for Android users in Pakistan. For a few hundred Pakistani rupees a month, you’ll be able to surf the internet without any restrictions. The mobile app is user-friendly and effective at bypassing all sorts of geoblocks.
Features:
- Value for money: Surfshark is one of the most affordable premium VPNs available. Surfshark provides the fastest speeds at a fraction of the cost of other VPNs.
- Easy-to-use mobile app: This app for Android and iOS keeps your device protected at all times with a built-in kill switch and adblocker.
- NoBorders mode and obfuscated servers: These tools are specifically designed for countries like Pakistan that experience high levels of censorship. These features keep your data safe and get you past ruthless censorship.
One of the biggest benefits of Surfshark is that you can get unlimited simultaneous connections. You can share one account with friends and family at no extra cost. If you’d like to try Surfshark for a limited time, make sure to check out its free trial.
- Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
- 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
- Cheap with many extra options
3. CyberGhost: Affordable VPN with Pakistani servers
What We Like
- 9,700+ servers (including 10 in Pakistan)
- Get dedicated IP addresses
- 45-day money-back guarantee
What We Don't Like
- No obfuscation feature
- NoSpy costs extra
The most affordable VPN for Pakistan is CyberGhost. CyberGhost is an excellent, user-friendly VPN provider that has all the VPN features you could possibly need.
Features:
- User-friendly VPN: CyberGhost is perfect for beginners and offers 24/7 customer service, ready to help at any moment.
- Specialized servers: These servers include streaming servers, as well as the option to get a dedicated IP address. With a dedicated IP, you don’t share your VPN server with anyone else, making it more difficult for authorities to detect VPN use.
- DNS leak protection: Keep your data protected against prying eyes. CyberGhost also has 256-bit AES encryption and RAM-only servers that don’t store any private data.
- Local servers in Pakistan: CyberGhost is one of the few VPNs with local servers in Pakistan, which is a great benefit if you want to safely access Pakistani sites.
If you want to circumvent internet censorship without breaking the bank, CyberGhost is a great pick. It even has a 45-day money-back guarantee, which you can use as a free trial.
- Very user-friendly
- High quality for a low price
- Torrents and Netflix possible
4. ExpressVPN: Secure and fast VPN for Pakistan
What We Like
- Fast VPN with local servers in Pakistan
- Split tunneling and obfuscation
- TrustedServer tech wipes data with every reboot
What We Don't Like
- Comparatively more expensive
ExpressVPN offers the best customer service and is one of the most secure and established VPNs around. If you’re in a country with a high risk of internet surveillance, ExpressVPN will make sure you remain anonymous while browsing.
Features:
- Great unblocking capabilities: This VPN will give you access to almost anything, including major international news sites, social media apps, and streaming services. ExpressVPN has been at the top of the VPN game for years and is constantly raising the bar for bypassing censorship.
- Fast servers: ExpressVPN will encrypt your data without slowing down your connection. Remain anonymous while browsing and enjoy a speedy connection to the internet.
- Global server network: ExpressVPN has over 3,000+ VPN servers, with server locations close to Pakistan, including India.
- Split tunneling: This feature lets you route only part of your traffic via your VPN. This lets you pick and choose which apps use the VPN and which ones don’t.
One of the downsides is that ExpressVPN is on the pricier side. Thankfully, you can use ExpressVPN’s money-back guarantee to get a 30-day free trial.
- Very easy-to-use VPN
- Perfect for anonymous browsing, downloading, and streaming (i.e., Netflix)
- 3,000+ servers in 94 countries
5. Private Internet Access: Pakistan VPN with a large server network
What We Like
- Largest server network: 33,000+ servers
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Open-source transparency
What We Don't Like
- Doesn't unblock as effectively as other VPNs
If you’re looking for a Pakistan VPN with the largest server network in the world, Private Internet Access (PIA) is for you. This affordable, transparent, and privacy-sensitive VPN can be used on any device.
Features:
- Largest server network in the world: With 33,000+ VPN servers, PIA is guaranteed to get you around internet censorship restrictions.
- Fantastic mobile app: The application for iOS and Android phones is easy to navigate and offers excellent security features, including split tunneling, an advanced kill switch, fast VPN protocols (WireGuard), and a built-in adblocker.
- Obfuscation and DNS leak protection: PIA will keep your data safe from Pakistani institutions.
- Unlimited connections: You can use this VPN on all your devices at the same time, including phones, laptops, and other devices. With PIA already being one of the cheapest VPNs available, the costs become even lower if you share it with friends and family.
Like its competitors, PIA also has a free trial option to test the VPN for a limited amount of time. Make use of the 30-day money-back guarantee and get a VPN for Pakistan today.
- Strong focus on privacy and security
- Good price
- Fast and stable servers
Is Using a VPN Legal in Pakistan?
Note:
VPNOverview does not provide legal advice. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. Always research local laws and avoid illegal activities, regardless of VPN use.
In Pakistan, VPN use is regulated.
The PTA announced in 2022 that it now requires the registration of VPNs. The announcement reads, “Public and private sector organizations, foreign missions, and freelancers who desire to use [a] VPN for legitimate purposes must register their VPN.”
Pakistan residents report that the PTA has not cracked down on individual VPN use. Users in the r/pakistan subreddit mention being able to use popular VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN for online gaming and unblocking restricted content.
Can’t Access These VPNs? Try This!
Because of ever-growing censorship, governments may block VPN websites. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to access VPN provider websites. Try any of these options instead:
- Use another service. The first step to take is to see if a different VPN can give you access. A free VPN can be used to access another provider’s website. For example, you can use Opera browser’s built-in VPN to access the NordVPN website.
- Use an HTTP proxy. A proxy can get you a new IP address, which you can use to access a VPN provider’s website. In the long run, however, it’s recommended to stop using the proxy since it doesn’t keep you as safe and anonymous as a VPN.
- Download the VPN app from a trusted third party. When using a different VPN or proxy doesn’t work, we recommend getting the VPN software from a different platform. For PCs, try downloading your VPN from Softpedia, a database for software installation. Simply go to the platform, search for the VPN, and download the software. You can also check out TutuApp, an alternative for iOS users, or AppBrain if you’re on Android.
If you know you’ll be traveling to Pakistan soon and want to be able to access free internet during your travels, make sure you subscribe to and download a VPN ahead of time.
How We Choose VPNs for Pakistan
A VPN for Pakistan needs to meet the following criteria:
- Privacy and security: Since press freedom and freedom of speech are heavily curtailed and free expression can have devastating consequences, a VPN for Pakistan needs to be a verified no-logs VPN and should run on the most private VPN protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. You want to make sure your VPN actually hides your IP address.
- Server network and unblocking capacities: The larger your VPN provider’s server network, the better access you get to global websites and apps. A VPN for Pakistan should be able to unblock any banned content, from news sites to pornography.
- Mobile app and ease of use: Chances are, you’ll use your VPN on your phone. It’s important that the VPN’s app is well-designed and easy to use, and that you’ve got a good customer support team to fall back on for questions.
- Affordability: Of course, this is a major factor. Staying safe online should be affordable for everyone. With VPNs like NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost, you get the best value for money.
Conclusion: Bypass Censorship in Pakistan With a VPN
Harassment against journalists and those who express critical opinions online is growing in Pakistan. Censorship and surveillance are on the rise, and penalties for online dissent can be severe.
With press freedom and privacy at risk, it’s important to protect yourself online and get access to independent websites and apps by using a VPN.
For Pakistan, these are the top 5 VPNs of the moment:
- NordVPN: The best VPN for Pakistan
- Surfshark: The best Pakistan VPN for Android
- CyberGhost: Affordable VPN with Pakistani servers
- ExpressVPN: Secure and fast VPN for Pakistan
- Private Internet Access: Pakistan VPN with a large server network
A VPN will help you stay anonymous online, though you should still be careful when it comes to expressing your opinions freely online.
Want to see what it’s like to surf the web with a VPN? NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to see for yourself how you can bypass censorship in Pakistan.
Got any questions about censorship in Pakistan and VPN use? Check out our FAQ below for some quick answers!
Pakistan’s government censors the internet to limit criticism of the government, the state religion, and political dissent. It is used as a tool of control to support its ultra-nationalistic regime. In recent years, censorship in Pakistan has been increasing.
Internet access in Pakistan is controlled through:
- Website blocking
- Data traffic surveillance
- State-owned online infrastructure
- Content takedowns
- Attacks on journalists
The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) is the major Pakistani piece of legislation that governs internet censorship, with the aim to silence political and religious dissent.
The safest and easiest way to get around internet censorship in Pakistan is to use a VPN. A VPN can mask your online identity and change your virtual location, which allows you to access blocked content.
The best VPN for Pakistan is NordVPN.
At the moment, the use of a VPN is regulated in Pakistan. What’s more, legislation is constantly changing, and the legality of virtual private networks in Pakistan may change in the future.
The best VPN for Pakistan is NordVPN. This VPN offers excellent security features, unblocks all major sites, and lets you browse the web privately.
