On Friday, the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (Wispap) urged the interior ministry to extend the VPN registration deadline to facilitate better compliance.
VPNs, commonly used globally to access content unavailable or blocked in a user’s home country, have seen increased use in Pakistan. Many people use them to bypass bans on various websites, including X, which has been outlawed since February.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) experienced a disruption earlier this month, leading to dysfunctional VPNs nationwide. This prompted the PTA to announce future restrictions on VPNs to prevent access to pornographic material.
On November 15, the interior ministry directed the PTA to block “illegal VPNs,” attributing their use to terrorists for orchestrating violent activities and accessing inappropriate content.
Last week, PTA Chairman Retired Major General Hafeezur Rehman informed the Senate’s IT committee that all unregistered VPNs would cease functioning after November 30.
Read: PTA Extends VPN Registration Deadline to November 30
In a letter released today, Wispap argued that extending the registration deadline would help users adjust to the simplified process. The letter supports ongoing government efforts to bolster cybersecurity and manage VPN usage effectively.
The association expressed its commitment to working with the ministry and PTA to tackle any arising challenges. It noted that simplifying the registration process was crucial for encouraging user compliance.
Wispap reported initial success in reducing user reluctance due to these changes, praising the government for acknowledging the significant security risks of rogue VPN servers.
It highlighted the dangers of hackers using unregistered VPNs to misdirect users to malicious servers, risking data theft. Wispap concluded that promoting registration safeguards citizens from these threats and maintains the integrity of Pakistan’s digital framework.
