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The PTA intends to “block” VPNs in Pakistan.

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Hafeezur Rehman, the chairman of the PTA, stated that exclusively authorized Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) would operate in Pakistan following the implementation of the policy during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat.

Following a notable spike in the use of virtual private networks in 2024, mostly for the purpose of gaining access to the social media site X (previously known as Twitter), this action was taken.

A survey published on February 19 by Top10VPN claims that, two days after X was blocked, demand for VPNs surged by 131%. In Pakistan, new user acquisition rates increased 300–400% after the ban, according to VPN provider Surfshark.

With only 30% of users in Pakistan using VPNs to access the platform, the PTA chairman claimed that the number of X users in the country had dropped by 70% since the ban.

Question marks remain regarding the ban’s efficacy, though, given how many users manage to get around it.

According to the director of the PTA, some IT companies that rely on VPNs would fail if they were to outlaw them completely.

The fact that this is not Pakistan’s first attempt at VPN regulation should not be overlooked. Few things have come of earlier attempts, such as a registration drive in 2022 and a virtual private network law in 2010.

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In the Toshakhana-2 case, IHC sends notices regarding Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s acquittal pleas.

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In response to the petitions for acquittal filed by Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan, the founders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in the Toshakhana-II case, the Islamabad High Court on Thursday sent notifications to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other parties.

Hearing the applications was Justice Raja Inam Ameen Minhas of the IHC. The judge said that there is no legal precedent for halting criminal proceedings at this point when Salman Safdar, Imran Khan’s attorney, requested a stay order on the trial in the Toshakhana-2 case during the hearing.

The court would also hear the other party and send notices regarding the petition, Justice Minhas noted.

Since Justice Gul Hassan Aurangzeb had previously heard five petitions pertaining to this case, Safdar later also filed a motion to transfer the case to another bench, stating that it would be proper to send the acquittal petitions to him for additional hearing.

According to Justice Minhas, who dismissed his plea, the petitions considered by Justice Aurangzeb were bail requests. This was a different issue, he remarked, and he would consider the case. He gave the attorney instructions to argue the case’s merits.

The PTI lawyer later pleaded the high court to halt proceedings of the trial court. The judge replied that suspects had already been indicted, and witnesses were testifying.

He noted that it would not be appropriate to issue any such order at this stage, adding that he would issue notices and the case would not be adjourned for a long period.

The court then issued a notice to the FIA and adjourned the hearing until Jan 28.

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Kashmir Education: PM Convenes Daanish School in Bhimber, Denounces Indian Atrocities

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In a strong condemnation of the Indian Army’s ongoing brutality and oppression in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, moral, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiris until their right to self-determination, as guaranteed by pertinent UN resolutions, is realised.

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Mohsin Naqvi Meets with Members of the United States Congress: Pakistan Hopes To Imprvoe Ties With Trump Administration: Naqvi

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Today in Washington, Federal Minister of the Interior Mohsin Naqvi met separately with members of Congress Rob Bresnahan and Joe Wilson.

He spent the meeting talking with them on issues of shared interest and bilateral collaboration in a variety of areas.

He also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and its long lasting impact on the region and the world.

He emphasized the need to enahnce mutual exchanges of trade and cultual delegations between the two countries and Pakistan is working to improve bilateral relations.

He said that the newly elected President Donald Trump speech is very encouraging in recent global situation, and he is a symbol of hope for the region.

The United States is one of Pakistan’s key strategic partners, according to Mohsin Naqvi. They also discussed about the problems face by the Pakistanis living abroad.

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