The government is expected to extend the deadline for registering Virtual Private Network (VPN) until the end of December 2024, according to informed sources. The current deadline, set for November 30, has drawn severe criticism, prompting the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to request an extension.
The proposed VPN blockade poses significant risks for the country’s freelance community, which numbers approximately one million and generates around $400 million annually. Stakeholders have raised concerns, calling for not only an extension of the registration period but also a simplification of the registration process to accommodate businesses and individuals reliant on VPN services.
Previously, the Ministry of Interior had directed the PTA to ensure all VPNs were registered by the November deadline, with unregistered VPNs slated for blocking starting December 1. However, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication strongly opposed the move, citing potential losses in IT remittances and terming the proposed VPN block as illegal since no law explicitly permits app blocking.
During discussions, both the Ministry of Information Technology and PTA were unable to adequately address the committee’s concerns regarding the economic and operational implications of VPN restrictions. PTA representatives suggested that registering VPNs would help prevent internet shutdowns and mitigate connectivity issues for businesses in Pakistan.
Under the VPN policy introduced in 2016, the PTA has already registered over 25,000 VPNs. It has also streamlined the registration process to facilitate businesses, freelancers, software houses, call centers, banks, embassies, and other stakeholders.
The PTA announced that VPN users could register through its official website, where applicants must complete an online form and provide basic details. Members of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) are eligible for specific registration benefits.
With the likely extension, the government aims to balance regulatory oversight with the economic interests of the IT and freelancing sectors, ensuring minimal disruption to critical services and revenue streams.
