PTA Denies Implementation of Centralized DNS Control For Pakistan

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a clarification in regard to news appearing in a section of media regarding implementation of a centralized Domain Name System (DNS) control for Pakistan.

In the press release, PTA said that it has only implemented an automation of blocking of unlawful content as mandated to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) under Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 37.

It added that contrary to claims being made in some media reports, PTA has not implemented a Centralized DNS Control where-by all resolution will be centrally performed by PTA and instead the resolution will be performed by the Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

PTA stated that blocking of illegal content was already being done, however, to improve the effectiveness of the same, an automation process through domain name resolution at ISP level has been implemented under the policy directives of Government of Pakistan (GoP).

It added that this has been done in consultation and extensive due-deliberation with the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) of Pakistan.

PTA said that it has no effect on increasing the cost of internet services , no impact on slowing down of internet nor has any implications on privacy of the citizens whatsoever, as wrongly portrayed in some media reports. Furthermore, the regulator added that it will also have no effect on the current arrangements with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).

Moreover, PTA said that all reports regarding implementation of a centralized DNS control for Pakistan are false and all speculations related to the process should be put to rest.

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