KARACHI: The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (Wispap) called on the interior ministry on Friday to extend the deadline for the registration of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to “facilitate compliance”, Dawn.com reported.

In a letter written on Friday, seen by Dawn.com, Wispap said it believed “extending the current deadline for VPN registration would further facilitate compliance among users who were just beginning to adapt to the new, simplified process”.

VPNs are widely used around the world to access content that may be inaccessible or blocked for internet users in their home country.

On Nov 15, the interior ministry asked the PTA to block “illegal VPNs” across Pakistan, citing their use by terrorists to “facilitate violent activities” and to “access pornographic and blasphemous content”.

Consequently, PTA Chairman retired Major General Hafeezur Rehman told the Senate standing committee on IT last week that all non-registered VPNs would stop wor­king in the country after the Nov 30 deadline for their registration.

While acknowledging government efforts to enhance cybersecurity and regulate VPN usage in Pakistan, Wispap said that an extension would allow more time for public awareness campaigns to educate users about the importance of VPN registration.

Service providers and associations like Wispap and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@sha) would also be able to collaborate with customers to streamline the registration process, it highlighted.

The extension would enable “building trust with hesitant users who are gradually understanding the security benefits of compliance”, Wispap contended.

It said that the step “would support the government’s objectives while ensuring widespread adherence to the VPN registration framework”, adding that Wispap remained committed to collaborating with the ministry and PTA to address any challenges.

In its letter, the association noted that simplification of the registration process was a “pivotal step” in ensuring that citizens “comply without hesitation”.

It applauded the government’s recognition of the “significant security risks currently posed by rogue VPN servers”.

“By encouraging registration, the government is protecting citizens from such vulnerabilities and ensuring the integrity of Pakistan’s digital landscape,” it added.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2024