It is projected that the federal government would extend the Virtual Private Network (VPN) registration deadline to the end of December 2024.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), under intense criticism, has asked to extend the deadline for VPN registration, which is currently set for November 30, according to sources who spoke to ProPakistani.
Approximately one million independent contractors, who generate approximately $400 million annually, are at danger due to the VPN ban that began on November 30. Numerous parties have demanded a streamlined registration process in addition to an extension of the registration time.
Prior to the end of November, the PTA was instructed by the Ministry of Interior to make sure that all VPNs were registered. Additionally, the PTA had declared that, as of December 1, unregistered VPNs will be prohibited.
Fearing that the proposed VPN restriction would result in millions of dollars in lost IT remittances, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication declared it unlawful since blocking an app is not permitted by law.
The Committee on the planned banning of VPNs from November 30 was not satisfied by the Ministry of Information Technology or PTA.
PTA believed that internet shutdowns in Pakistan would cease if VPNs were registered. Since implementing the policy in 2016, PTA has registered over 25,000 VPNs. Businesses in Pakistan would have fewer internet problems if they registered for VPNs.
Additionally, PTA revealed that enterprises and freelancers now have an easier time registering for VPNs. Software companies, contact centers, banks, embassies, and independent contractors can now register their VPNs via the PTA’s official website, the organization said in a statement.
