The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has requested the Interior Ministry to extend the deadline for registering virtual private networks (VPNs) beyond November 30, 2024.
PTA told the ministry that some stakeholders have expressed concerns over the complexity of the registration procedure.
The Ministry of Interior two weeks ago instructed the registration of all unregistered VPNs to ensure compliance.
PTA is actively consulting with stakeholders to streamline the registration process and address their concerns.
“Off late, an alarming fact has been identified, wherein VPNs are used by terrorists to obscure and conceal their communications. VPNs are also being used for discreetly access pornographic and blasphemous contents,” the Interior Division said in a statement on November 15.
It argued that Pakistan is considered one of the leading countries in terms of visiting porn sites using VPNs and these trends warrant the complete blockage of unregulated private networks to terminate the issue.
The government has no reason not to extend the registration deadline by another two weeks before sending blockage notices to those concerned.
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