Stakeholders Demand Extension of VPN Registration Deadline Amid Concerns

Islamabad:Amid growing concerns about the looming deadline for VPN (Virtual Private Network) registration, stakeholders have called for an extension of the registration period. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also requested the Ministry of Interior to extend the deadline for VPN registration.

According to sources within PTA, the possibility of extending the registration deadline is being considered. As the registration deadline approaches, the process has been expedited, with PTA registering over 200 VPNs daily. The authority is in ongoing consultations with stakeholders to ensure the registration process is smooth and efficient.

Stakeholders have also requested that the process for registering VPNs be simplified. The Ministry of Interior had previously directed PTA to block all unregistered VPNs, and the PTA is bound to implement these orders.

**Deadline Fast Approaching**

The Ministry of Interior holds the authority to extend the VPN registration deadline, and the PTA is expected to comply with the Ministry’s directives. Currently, the deadline for VPN registration is set for November 30, 2024. Following this deadline, the PTA has announced that all unregistered VPNs will be blocked starting December 1, 2024. This means that any VPNs that are not registered by the end of November will no longer be functional in Pakistan.

The move to regulate VPNs comes as part of the government’s efforts to curb illegal and unregistered use of VPNs, which are often employed to bypass internet restrictions and access blocked content. However, the stakeholders’ calls for an extension reflect concerns that the current registration process may not be accessible or straightforward enough for all users.

With the deadline rapidly approaching, the PTA is working to ensure that as many VPNs as possible are registered, while simultaneously considering the possibility of granting an extension to accommodate those who are still in the process of registering their services. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial in determining whether the deadline will be extended or if the government will move forward with blocking unregistered VPNs as planned.