Pakistan withdraws plans for VPN ban – but usage may still be at risk

People in Pakistan may still be able to use VPN services without restrictions as the country's telecom body has decided not to ban VPN usage after all. This came as Pakistan's Law Ministry said the government cannot legally block VPNs.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) originally set the deadline for November 30 to begin implementing a new policy regulating VPN usage. According to the new rules, businesses and freelancers could only use a registered service for legitimate purposes such as banking, foreign missions, corporate enterprises, universities, IT companies, and call centers.

On Saturday, November 30, however, the PTA's chief Chairman Major General (retired) Hafeezul Rehman announced the government's decision to extend the registration deadline. A day later, the PTA withdrew the VPN ban completely "over lack of legal grounds" – the Pakistani English-language newspaper Dawn reported.

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