Islamabad, Dec 1: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Sunday that it would not enforce a ban on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) following a legal review. The review determined that existing laws do not provide a legal basis for blocking the service.
Despite a previously set deadline of November 30 for VPN registration, unregistered VPNs will not face immediate action. Registration remains open, with future decisions pending instructions from the Ministry of Interior.
Legal Insights on the Decision
The PTA’s earlier plans to ban unregistered VPNs were driven by concerns from the Interior Ministry, citing misuse for illegal activities. However, consultations with the Ministry of Law clarified that under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, the government can block unlawful content but lacks authority to ban tools like VPNs.
The distinction between content and access tools was underscored by a senior official from the Ministry of Information Technology, who highlighted that VPNs primarily enable secure connections rather than facilitating illegal content.
Current Registration Statistics
PTA has registered around 27,000 VPNs, with an additional 7,000 registrations expected soon.
Internet Connectivity Issues
Meanwhile, internet users in Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar are experiencing significant disruptions. Residents in areas like North Nazimabad and Gulshan report slow internet speeds and unreliable Wi-Fi, affecting businesses and daily activities. Users in Peshawar are similarly frustrated by sluggish speeds, impacting essential tasks like uploading and downloading files.
The PTA’s decision not to ban VPNs is seen as a relief to many, but resolving the ongoing connectivity issues remains a pressing concern.
