Business Desk 
Nov 22, 2024
The government of Pakistan is inching closer to implementing a new virtual private networks (VPN) policy from November 30.
Given that, The News while citing a PTA official reported that the general public is likely to be faced with inaccessibility to platforms that necessitate VPN use since it offers VPN registration only to companies and freelancers.
Dubbing the blocking and registration of VPNs by the government as a step towards stifling freedom of expression, both government officials and the veterans in IT are lamenting that the policy will make ordinary netizens unable to access news websites and social platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
The VPN frenzy kicked off on November 15 when the interior ministry directed the PTA chairman to block “illegal VPNs” across Pakistan.
“VPNs are increasingly being exploited by terrorists to facilitate violent activities. VPNs are also being used to discreetly access pornographic and blasphemous content,” the directive stated.
Read more: VPN anonymity — How law enforcement agencies identify perpetrators
Following its directives to PTA, the ministry urged companies and freelancers to register their VPNs by November 30 to keep their business operations intact.
Since the registration of VPNs with PTA is exclusive to companies, freelancers, embassies, banks, and call centres, it leaves a layman out in the cold.
“Once your VPN is whitelisted, you will not be affected if VPNs are blocked at the government’s instruction,” the publication quoted a senior PTA official privy to the matter.
Inquire how ordinary netizens willing to use VPNs for privacy or access restricted sites could register, he said that only individuals working as “freelancers for commercial purposes are eligible,” highlighting that the general public which is neither affiliated with companies nor is freelancing commercially, following the enforcement of the policy after November 30.
