VPN Ban Postponed, No New Deadline Announced

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman clarified that the regulator will not block virtual private networks (VPNs) despite having the capability to do so. Speaking at the launch of PTA’s annual report 2024, he stated, “We had said earlier that we can block VPNs, but we won’t do it.” This announcement follows the government’s decision to extend the VPN registration deadline beyond November 30, with no new date announced yet. Sources indicated that the lack of legal grounds might have contributed to this decision. The PTA chief also confirmed, “We did not block any VPN till today. Nothing could be hidden from the people in this era.”

Read more: PTA Eases VPN Registration Process For Freelancers

Addressing internet-related issues, the chairman explained, “We don’t have an answer when we are asked about internet shutdown owing to national security.” He stressed that such questions should be directed to policymakers. Earlier, the Ministry of Interior had announced plans to block unregistered VPNs by mid-November, later granting a two-week grace period for compliance. The PTA has streamlined its VPN registration process, enabling freelancers, software houses, banks and call centers to register through its official website by providing basic details like CNIC, company information and taxpayer status.