The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will not block virtual private networks (VPNs) despite having the ability to do so, the telecom regulator chief said on Monday.
Speaking at the launch of the PTA’s annual report 2024, its chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman said: “We said earlier that we can block VPNs but we will not.”
Earlier, the regulatory authority had decided against blocking VPNs as the government had extended the deadline for registering proxies beyond November 30. However, no new date has been announced for the suspension of the VPN.
However, sources familiar with the matter say that there is a lack of legal basis behind this move.
The PTA Chairman confirmed that they have not blocked any VPN till date. He further said that nothing can be hidden from the people in this era.
Moving on to the internet-related issues in the country, the PTA chairman said: “When we are asked about internet shutdown due to national security, we have no answer.”
He said that questions related to national security should be asked to the policy makers.
Last month, the Ministry of Interior announced it would start the process of shutting down all unregistered VPNs by mid-November, but later announced a two-week “race period” allowing unregistered VPNs to comply with mandatory registration requirements. Allowed to comply.
As deadline night passed, the PTA chose not to issue an official statement on the VPN issue, but its chairman spoke to some media outlets and confirmed that the authority would will not block the PN, as the government had decided to extend the deadline. Deadline
VPNs are commonly used to bypass restricted content around the world.
In Pakistan, the use of VPNs increased after authorities banned social media site X (formerly Twitter) earlier this year over “national security” concerns.
Stakeholders, including the IT industry and freelancers, are pushing for an extension of the registration deadline.
‘Smooth’ VPN registration process
The PTA had earlier said that it has streamlined the VPN registration process for organizations and freelancers.
The telecommunication regulator had said that software houses, call centers, banks, embassies and freelancers can register their VPNs online through the PTA’s official website.
PTA had said that members of Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) can also avail this facility.
It added that registration involves completing an online form and providing basic details including Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC), company registration details and taxpayer status.