ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman highlighted the crucial role of virtual private networks (VPNs) in the industry, stating that businesses cannot operate effectively without them.

He made these remarks on Monday during a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications.

The regulatory authority recently extended the deadline for VPN registration to November 30, addressing concerns over the misuse of unauthorized VPNs for bypassing internet restrictions and accessing prohibited content.

During the briefing, the PTA chairman encouraged IT professionals and businesses to register their VPNs to avoid complications, emphasizing the importance of VPNs for freelancers and companies. He noted that VPNs are essential even for the general public in light of potential bans on private gateways.

The VPN registration policy, first introduced in 2016, has been accompanied by a recent awareness campaign. The chairman reassured that internet services would not be disrupted if VPNs are registered properly.

He acknowledged the adverse impact of internet shutdowns on the industry and reported that 25,000 VPNs have been registered to date.

Additionally, the PTA has blocked over 500,000 obscene websites as part of its regulatory efforts.