• November 26, 2024
• Access to Information, Freedom of Expression, General News, Information Technology

Since November 23, citizens in different parts of Pakistan have been experiencing disruptions in internet access and access to social media platforms. While the government had announced possible closures in specific “high-risk areas” ahead of protests by the opposition political party, the Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf (PTI), the sporadic, widespread, and unexplained service disruptions extend […]

• November 23, 2024
• Access to Information

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been urged to provide “sufficient time” to register Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and engage in consultations on unregistered VPNs. The call comes as the registration deadline approaches on November 30. This request was presented by the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) during a consultative session held at the PTA headquarters. The session was […]

• November 23, 2024
• Access to Information, Information Technology

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology on November 20 about the progress in 5G technology development. PTA officials informed the committee that they have engaged a consultant to assist with the 5G spectrum. This consultancy, formalized through a contract on November 5, aims to recommend auction strategies, spectrum valuation, and regulatory reforms. […]

• November 22, 2024
• Access to Information

The Chairman of Pakistan’s Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi, has clarified that his controversial remarks declaring Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) “un-Islamic” stemmed from a typo error. During a press conference on November 20, following a council meeting, Dr. Naeemi clarified that the proclamation issued on November 15 mistakenly omitted the word “not,” leading to the […]

• November 22, 2024
• Access to Information

On November 21, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General Hafeezur Rehman (Retd), while speaking to the media, clarified that they have not yet received any official directives to suspend mobile services in the country. His statement comes amid growing speculation over possible disruptions ahead of planned political activities. Media reports, citing unnamed sources, have indicated that the federal […]

• November 22, 2024
• Access to Information

A citizen, Mubashir Qayyum, has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to challenge the federal government’s decision to restrict Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) across the country, arguing that the move infringes upon the fundamental rights of citizens. In the petition filed on November 19, Qayyum described himself as a direct victim of the VPN ban. […]

• November 21, 2024
• Access to Information

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has dismissed allegations that the widespread use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is responsible for recent internet slowdowns across the country. The clarification was made during the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication meeting held on November 19. The PTA’s stance contradicts earlier remarks made by IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja […]

• November 19, 2024
• Access to Information

On November 18, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications expressed its frustration over the absence of the Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and the federal IT secretary from a key meeting. The committee also raised serious concerns over the government’s measures to restrict the use of Virtual […]

• November 19, 2024
• Access to Information

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman, Allama Dr. Raghib Naeemi, has shed light on the recent fatwa concerning the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) under Islamic law, emphasizing that the permissibility of VPN usage hinges on the user’s intentions and purposes. Dr. Naeemi made this clarification during an appearance on the Geo News morning show, […]

• November 19, 2024
• Access to Information

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications was set to convene on November 18 to discuss the blocking of VPNs, with or without the ministry’s participation. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Palwasha Khan, who chairs the committee, confirmed the meeting will proceed despite repeated refusals from the ministry to attend. “We will present our reservations regarding […]

• November 19, 2024
• Access to Information

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has simplified the registration process for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to make it easier for a wide range of users, including software houses, call centers, banks, embassies, and freelancers through PTA’s website. In a statement, the PTA outlined that members of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) are among those eligible to benefit from […]

• November 18, 2024
• Access to Information

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on November 15 that mobile internet and telecommunication services have been suspended in multiple districts of Balochistan. The suspension is in response to a series of escalating terrorist attacks across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “The general public is hereby informed that under the directives of authorized departments, mobile internet services have […]

• November 16, 2024
• Access to Information

The Ministry of Interior has instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block all unauthorized Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and has set a deadline of November 30, for the registration of VPNs with PTA. The directive, issued on November 15, cites the misuse of VPNs by terrorists and concerns over accessing prohibited content, including pornography and […]

• November 16, 2024
• Access to Information

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman has condemned the government’s recent actions to disable Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and reduce internet speeds, criticizing the lack of consultation in these decisions. Speaking to the media, Bilawal pointed out what he perceived as a significant gap in the current administration’s understanding of VPN technology and broader […]