The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a streamlined process for registering Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) using mobile numbers, offering a significant advantage to freelancers and the IT sector.
In a statement released on Saturday, the PTA emphasized that this initiative simplifies the VPN registration process to support the technology industry. According to the authority, over 31,000 VPNs have been registered to date. Users can now easily register their VPNs via mobile numbers through the PTA’s official website.
The initiative follows the PTA’s efforts to regulate VPN usage in response to security concerns raised by the government. The regulatory body initially set a November 30 deadline for VPN registration. However, no VPNs were blocked after the deadline, providing users with additional time for compliance.
Earlier, the Ministry of Interior had announced plans to disable all unregistered VPNs by mid-November but later extended a two-week grace period to allow users to fulfill the registration requirements.
Chairman of PTA, Maj Gen (Retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman, reassured the public that no VPNs would be blocked immediately. The government’s decision to extend the registration timeline reflects a balanced approach to address security concerns while accommodating the needs of the IT industry.
This development marks another step toward promoting secure and regulated internet usage in Pakistan. By linking VPN registration with mobile numbers, the PTA aims to foster a user-friendly environment for freelancers and IT professionals.
