The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has started the second trial of blocking unregistered VPNs through the firewall. According to sources, this trial of blocking will last two days while the practice of blocking unregistered VPNs will be conducted during the trial. PTA has given a deadline of November 30 for the registration of all unregistered VPNs. Regular blocking of unregistered VPNs will begin from December 1st. So far, more than 25000 VPNs have been registered.

On Sunday, 24th of Nov, WhatsApp users across Pakistan faced widespread disruptions, particularly in Punjab, Karachi, and some areas of Balochistan. The outage, tracked by Downdetector, saw a surge in complaints, with users unable to send messages or make voice calls, and many also reported problems downloading media files. NetBlocks, a cybersecurity watchdog, confirmed the restriction on WhatsApp's backends in Pakistan, linking the blackout to security measures ahead of the opposition party PTI's planned protest on November 24. Although the cause of the outage was not officially confirmed, the timing raised suspicions of preemptive action by the government. In response, many users turned to VPNs to bypass the disruptions, with some freelancers expressing concern over the ongoing restrictions and their impact on the tech community in Pakistan.

PTI YouTubers and social media activists are likely to be arrested from D-chowk Islamabad where the party is set to stage a sit-in.  Sources indicated that some social media activists, posing as journalists, were sharing police strategies with PTI leadership. While the main protest convoy was halted at Burhan Interchange, other PTI convoys, including one led by CM Gandapur, have resumed their journey to Islamabad. In the meantime, authorities have detained around 1,257 PTI workers in the Multan division, including several party members. Over 200 more PTI workers were arrested as they attempted to march towards Islamabad. High-profile detainees include Zain Qureshi, Amir Doggar, and Moinuddin Qureshi. Amidst these arrests, the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad remain completely sealed off, with police conducting raids and making further arrests in preparation for PTI's nationwide protest.

Seven cases have been registered against Bushra Bibi, the wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, across various cities in Punjab under the Telegraph Act 1885, the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act 2016 (PECA-2016), and other legal provisions. These cases stem from allegations related to her video statement involving Saudi Arabia, which complainants claim hurt national sentiments, spread religious hatred, and disrespected the Pakistan Army and Saudi Arabia. FIRs were filed in cities including Multan, Gujranwala, Layyah, Bahawalnagar, and Rajanpur. Complainants alleged that her statements, circulated on social media and TV, constituted a conspiracy against the country, strained ties with Saudi Arabia, and violated religious sanctity under Pakistan Penal Code Section 298. The charges include using her platform to incite discord and spreading alleged propaganda against former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Registration processes cited provisions under the Telegraph Act for improper use of communication networks and PECA-2016 for electronic crimes. The allegations underscore complex intersections of legal, political, and religious sensitivities within Pakistan’s socio-political context.

Internet users in Pakistan experienced disruptions on WhatsApp on Saturday, primarily affecting the sharing of media files. Reports from Downdetector indicated that 67% of users faced issues sending messages, with the majority of outages concentrated in Punjab, followed by sporadic disruptions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi in Sindh. The IT industry and internet service providers acknowledged the problem but were unable to determine its cause. Some users speculated that the disruptions were linked to the PTI’s November 24 protest in Islamabad, though no official explanation was provided. Similar outages during political events have previously been attributed to technical issues or submarine cable damage. On X (formerly Twitter), PTI supporters called for the availability of SpaceX’s Starlink service in Pakistan to mitigate such issues in the future. PTI has also appealed to Elon Musk via its website to provide starlink internet services in Pakistan.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) plans to enforce a new VPN policy starting November 30, limiting VPN registration to companies and freelancers using the service for commercial purposes. Ordinary users seeking VPNs for privacy or accessing restricted content will be excluded. This policy follows a directive from the Ministry of Interior citing security concerns, including terrorism and access to restricted content. Companies must register their VPNs by November 30 to avoid disruption. Critics, including Simon Migliano from Top10VPN, argue that the policy resembles China's restrictive model, allowing only government-approved VPNs and blocking most consumer VPNs due to static IP requirements. A recent nationwide VPN disruption on November 10, which PTA attributed to a "technical glitch," may have involved deep packet inspection to identify VPN traffic. Observers suggest the policy reflects the government’s intent to strictly regulate VPN use while recognizing its importance for Pakistan's economy.

Amid the looming "do-or-die" protest announced by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on November 24, the federal government has decided to partially suspend internet and mobile services in Islamabad and other areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, sources told Geo News on Thursday. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will activate its firewall for mobile internet service from November 22 and the aforesaid services will be suspended from November 23, added the sources. These steps have been taken to prevent users from downloading media from social media platforms.

On 21st November 2024, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) hosted a consultation session in Islamabad to discuss improvements in VPN registration processes. Attendees included representatives from the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), PASHA, PAFLA, MoIT, MoFA, and the State Bank of Pakistan. The session focused on facilitating legitimate VPN users, such as software houses, BPO firms, banks, embassies, and freelancers, while ensuring data security and uninterrupted internet access. Stakeholders explored mechanisms to streamline VPN registration processes to support business continuity and secure online services.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in partnership with TikTok, hosted the Youth Safety Summit in Islamabad on November 21, 2024, to promote online safety and digital literacy among Pakistan’s youth. Key speakers included Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PTA Chairman Major General (R) Hafeezur Rehman, and TikTok’s Emir Gelen, all emphasizing the importance of collaboration and initiatives like TikTok's Family Pairing and Youth Safety Portal. The event concluded with the announcement of #DigitalHifazat Contest winners and plans to expand the initiative nationwide to enhance online safety.

The federal government has decided to partially suspend internet and mobile services in Islamabad , Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab amid the opposition party PTI’s planned protest for 24 November. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will activate its firewall for mobile internet service from November 22 and the aforesaid services will be suspended from November 23, added the sources.

The services will likely remain suspended unless PTI either calls off its protest or make it shorter. PTI has hinted at turning its protest into indefinite sit-in unless its incarcerated leader former PM Imran Khan was released.