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In a bid to facilitate the IT sector, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has allowed freelancers to register their virtual private network (VPN) using mobile numbers. “To facilitate the legitimate, secure and uninterrupted operations of VPN by freelancers who don’t have static IP addresses, the facility to register VPN against mobile number has been introduced by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA),” read a statement released by PTA on Saturday. “The step is aimed to further simplify the VPN registration process for facilitation of the IT industry,” the authority said, adding that over 31,000 VPNs have been registered by PTA. According to the authority, freelancers can register their mobile number with PTA for “usage of VPNs on mobile data connection at https://ipregistration.pta.gov.pk”. Freelancers would need to provide their details including computerised national identity card (CNIC), company registration details and taxpayer status to register their VPNs. A few days ago, the government decided not to ban VPNs, as the law ministry said the government did not have the legal authority to impose such a ban under the Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. Earlier, PTA warned its users to register their VPNs by Nov 30, after which unregistered connections would be blocked. The interior ministry had earlier requested a ban, citing concerns about the use of VPNs by terrorists and access to pornographic content. However, the law ministry clarified that PECA allows the blocking of specific online content. Pakistan has a record of curbing online access in response to political turmoil, banning social media sites or simply temporarily shutting down the internet altogether. Days ago, Sajjad Mustafa Syed, chairman of Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), said that Pakistan’s information technology sector suffers losses of more than $1 million per hour due to internet shutdown in the country. “To achieve the government’s envisaged target of $15 billion, IT exports are linked with market access, infrastructure stability, accommodative taxation policy as well as skilled human resources,” said P@SHA chairman. Syed said that 99% of firms/ companies reported that their services were disrupted and 90% reported losses.
Georgia QB Carson Beck takes hit on throwing arm before halftime, leaving status uncertainBarrister cleared of misconduct calls on head of Bar Standards Board to resignBJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda termed the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government as ‘madari sarkar’ and ‘jadugar sarkar,’ deceiving the people with false promises. He said that the Congress had come to power by playing with the emotions of the people with tall promises. Addressing a public meeting at Saroornagar stadium here on Saturday, Nadda said that the Congress leaders wrore by the culture of ‘enjoy as long as you live’. The Congress has been rooted out in Tamil Nadu 60 years ago, was out of power for over 30 years in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh and 25 years in Bihar, he said. On the other hand, the BJP governments stood by the wishes of the people, whose trust in them is of a very high order. The BJP won in Gujarat for a record sixth time, four times in Madhya Pradesh, thrice in Haryana and Goa and twice in UP, Maharashtra, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Assam and other states. The anti-women, anti-farmer, anti-employees and anti-BCs government in Telangana would be sent packing by the people, Nadda saud. He pointed out at the state-of-affairs in the Congress-led Karnataka. Stating that the Revanth Reddy government had failed to fulfill its promises to the people, Nadda said that the party would be dealt a major blow in all states it is ruling. Nadda asked the gathering whether they had received Vidya Barosa card, unemployment allowance, farm loan waiver, Rythu Bharosa benefits, Shadi mubarak cheques, and the people responded negatively. The Telangana BJP organised the public meeting after week-long awareness programmes in all 119 Assembly segments and having releasing a charge-sheet against the incumbent government. State BJP chief and Union minister G. Kishan Reddy said that Revanth Reddy and his predecessor L. Chandrasekhar were behaving like twins. A number of party MPs, MLAs and office-bearers, including Union minister of state Bandi Sanjay, MPs Dr K. Laxman, Etala Rajendar, D.K. Aruna and Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, MLAs and party leaders took part in the meeting.