Tech Desk 
Nov 28, 2024
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has urged the Interior Ministry to extend the deadline for registering virtual private networks (VPN) beyond November 30, aiming to ensure that stakeholders have sufficient time to comply with the directives.
PTA informed the ministry that a few stakeholders have raised concerns regarding the complexity and challenges of the VPN registration process.
Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Interior directed the registration of all illegal VPNs to guarantee adherence. PTA is proactively consulting with stakeholders to optimise the registration workflow and address their raised concerns during consultations.
In a statement issued on November 15, the Interior Division emphasised: “Off late, an alarming fact has been identified, wherein VPNs are used by terrorists to obscure and conceal their communications."
It was also claimed that VPNs are also being used for discreetly accessing explicit and offensive content.
Its statement highlighted that Pakistan has become a leading country to visit violent and adult websites using VPNs, however, these alarming trends justify the ban of unauthorised VPNs to eliminate great risks posed by them.
The government is considering extending the registration deadline by two weeks more before issuing blockage notices to the concerned stakeholders. This extension would provide stakeholders with additional time to ensure compliance while addressing their concerns.
