PTA extends VPN registration deadline beyond Nov 30

• Government decides to extend VPN registration deadline. 
• No new date announced for the VPNs suspension as yet.
• PTA chairman confirms govt not blocking VPNs for now.
  

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has decided not to block Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) as the deadline for registration of all non-registered VPNs lapsed on Saturday midnight (November 30), The News reported.

The government has decided to grant an extension in the registration of VPNs. However, a new date has not been announced for the VPN suspension.

The Ministry of Interior had announced to begin the process of shutting down all unregistered VPNs by the middle of November, but later announced a two-week "grace period" allowing the unregistered VPNs to comply with mandatory registration requirements.

As the deadline ended last night, the PTA chose not to issue an official statement on the VPN matter, but its Chairman Maj Gen (Retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman, spoke to certain media outlets and confirmed that the authority would not block VPNs, as the government had decided to grant an extension to the stipulated deadline. 

The PTA chairman informed the Senate Standing Committee on IT last week that all non-registered VPNs would cease to function in the country after the 30 November deadline.

VPNs are commonly used worldwide to bypass restricted content.

In Pakistan, the use of VPNs witnessed a spike after authorities banned social media site X (formerly Twitter) earlier this year over "national security" concerns.

Stakeholders, including the IT industry and freelancers, have been pushing for an extension of the deadline for registration.

The PTA, according to sources, has emphasised that VPN registration is crucial for enhancing cybersecurity and ensuring national security and data protection.

It has registered more than 27,000 VPNs so far.

'Streamlined' VPN registration process

In a statement earlier this month, the PTA said that it has streamlined the VPN registration process for organisations and freelancers.

The telecommunication regulator said entities such as software houses, call centres, banks, embassies, and freelancers can register their VPNs online through the PTA's official website.

The PTA said members of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) can also avail of this facility.

It added that the registration involves completing an online form and providing basic details, including a computerised national identity card (CNIC), company registration details and taxpayer status.

Freelancers must submit documentation, such as a letter or email, verifying their project or company association, said the statement by the PTA.

Additionally, applicants must provide the IP address for VPN connectivity. If a fixed IP address is required, it can be acquired from an Internet Service Provider, it added.