Govt reveals new deadline for blocking illegal VPNs in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has set a new deadline for blocking illegal virtual private networks (VPNs) across Pakistan, citing concerns that terrorists have been exploiting these networks for violent and financial activities.

The Interior Ministry reveals that terrorists are using VPNs to conceal their communications and as such access forbidden and blasphemous material.

Pakistan has been identified as one of the leading countries for visiting adult websites via VPNs, giving rise to requests to restrict unlicensed VPNs to overcome serious risks.

In order to resolve this problem, the government has ordered all illegitimate VPNs to be blocked while considered legitimate, registered users of VPNs are not affected.

Moreover, the government has imposed a time limit of November 30, 2024, on the registration of VPNs with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

The purpose of this is, however, to oversee VPN use and block VPN use for illegal purposes. Please be informed that unregistered VPNs are legal, and using them in Pakistan is also a punishable criminal offense with a maximum fine of Rs. 500,000.

Pakistani authorities have a history of restricting online information and blocking websites, including social media and instant messaging services.

There are also worries about tracking the Internet behavior of citizens, which generates questions about privacy and surveillance.