The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Sunday decided not to proceed with the ban on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), following a legal review that concluded there is no legal basis to block the service.

This decision ensures that VPNs will continue to operate even after the previously announced November 30 deadline.

The PTA had earlier set a deadline of November 30 for VPN registration, warning that unregistered VPNs would be blocked. However, despite the deadline passing, the regulator has refrained from taking any immediate action regarding unregistered VPNs.

PTA sources confirmed that registration will still be allowed, with further decisions pending based on instructions from the Ministry of Interior.

The move comes after the Interior Ministry had initially requested the PTA to block unregistered VPNs, citing concerns that such networks were being used for illegal activities, including terrorism and access to obscene content.

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However, sources in the Interior Ministry have now indicated that this request will be withdrawn. The decision follows consultations with the Ministry of Law, which clarified that the government lacked the legal authority to ban VPNs under existing laws.

The key legal point revolves around Section 34 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, which allows the government to block unlawful online content but does not grant the authority to block tools like VPNs.

According to the Ministry of Law, the focus of PECA is on controlling content, not access tools, and as such, the government could face challenges in defending a VPN ban in court.

A senior official from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication pointed out that VPNs are primarily used to connect to applications, rather than being a medium of unlawful content. This technical distinction, the official noted, could prove crucial if the matter were to be contested in court, where the judiciary is likely to favour the continued use of VPNs.

Despite the expiration of the registration deadline, the PTA continues to process VPN registrations. As of now, around 27,000 VPNs have been registered, with an additional 7,000 registrations expected in the coming days.

Internet speed severely affected major cities

Meanwhile, internet users in various areas of Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar are experiencing significant disruptions, with reports of severely slow internet speeds and unreliable Wi-Fi services affecting daily activities and business operations.

In Karachi, complaints have been pouring in from residents of North Nazimabad, Gulshan, and Karsaz, where users have reported substantial slowdowns in internet connectivity.

Many have stated that even Wi-Fi services are intermittently disrupted, making browsing and streaming difficult. Several businesses, particularly those relying on online services, have voiced concerns over the ongoing issues, fearing potential losses due to connectivity problems.

Similarly, in Peshawar, users have reported slow internet speeds affecting essential online tasks. Problems with uploading and downloading content, including voice notes, photos, and videos, have been particularly frustrating.

Online business owners in the city have expressed alarm, as the internet slowdown is hindering their ability to operate smoothly, especially with the growing reliance on digital platforms for transactions and communication.