The federal government is expected to extend the deadline for registering Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) until the end of December 2024, following mounting pressure from stakeholders. The current deadline, set for November 30, 2024, has raised concerns among freelancers and businesses, prompting the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to request an extension, added sources.
The potential VPN blockage has sparked fears among the country’s one million freelancers, who contribute approximately $400 million annually in IT remittances. Stakeholders have called for both an extension of the registration period and a more streamlined registration process to avoid disruptions.
Concerns Over VPN Blocking
The Ministry of Interior had earlier directed the PTA to ensure all VPNs are registered by the end of November, with unregistered VPNs set to be blocked starting December 1, 2024. However, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has raised concerns, warning that blocking VPNs could result in significant financial losses for the IT sector. The committee also termed the proposed VPN blocking “illegal,” arguing that there is no legal provision to block such services.
Both the Ministry of Information Technology and the PTA failed to provide satisfactory answers to the committee regarding the proposed VPN restrictions.
PTA’s Stance on VPN Registration
The PTA has defended its VPN registration policy, stating that it would help prevent internet shutdowns in Pakistan and resolve connectivity issues for businesses. The authority claims to have already registered over 25,000 VPNs under a policy introduced in 2016.
In a statement, the PTA announced that the VPN registration process has been simplified for businesses and freelancers. Entities such as software houses, call centers, banks, embassies, and freelancers can now register their VPNs through the PTA’s official website. Members of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) can also benefit from this facility.
To complete the registration, applicants are required to fill out an online form and provide basic details. The PTA emphasized that registering VPNs would ensure uninterrupted internet access for businesses and freelancers, mitigating potential disruptions.
The government’s decision to extend the deadline is expected to provide much-needed relief to the IT sector, which has expressed concerns over the economic impact of VPN restrictions.
