Tech Desk 
Nov 30, 2024
The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has extended the deadline for registering Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Dawn News reported.
According to the publication, PTA Chairman Major General (retired) Hafeezul Rehman announced the decision on Saturday but did not provide a new deadline.
VPNs are vastly used in accessing content censored or blocked in the region. In Pakistan, they are being increasingly employed due to the censorship applied on X (formerly Twitter), among others. They essentially play an important role regarding online privacy for users as well.
Earlier, it was announced that the use of unregistered VPNs would be disabled after November 30. The step was followed after the interior ministry informed the PTA to block all "illegal VPNs", which are used for some terrorism and restricted content viewing.
The PTA chairman, in a conversation with Dawn News, clarified that unregistered VPNs will eventually be blocked. However, the government has decided to allow more time for users to comply, and the interior ministry will decide on the new registration deadline.
Following this, a wave of disruption created from the decision, The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (Wispap) urged the government to increase the deadline for the registration process. It asked that the deadline should be further increased in order to gain awareness about the VPN among people and how important this issue is.
This extension also provides an advantage to those using VPNs to access restricted platforms and maintain online privacy. It enables internet service providers and users to move along with compliance requirements without any difficulties.
