The much-anticipated arrival of Elon Musk’s Starlink in Pakistan is finally on the horizon! 📡 According to the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT & Telecom, Starlink is set to launch within the next six months—a game-changer for connectivity across the country.
📅 Starlink’s Journey to Approval in Pakistan
Parliamentary Secretary for IT and Telecom Sabeen Ghauri revealed that Starlink had applied for a license back in February 2022. However, at that time, regulatory frameworks were not in place to process the application. Fast forward to today, and the approval process is in its final stages. Ghauri estimates that the official approval could take a few more months before services go live.
🔍 What’s Happening Behind the Scenes?
Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman, updated the committee that 90% of Starlink’s discussions with the Space Regulatory Authority have been completed. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s happening:
✅ Regulatory discussions are nearing completion
✅ The Strategic Plans Division (military) is overseeing approvals
✅ Another satellite company has also applied for a license alongside Starlink
🚀 Pushing Through Bureaucratic Hurdles
The committee expressed frustration over delays and bureaucratic hurdles slowing down Starlink’s entry. Authorities were directed to expedite the licensing process, with calls for swift government intervention to remove roadblocks.
Additionally, concerns over user data protection were raised, highlighting the importance of ensuring security and compliance before issuing Starlink a green light.
📊 The Bigger Picture: Pakistan’s Telecom Investments
During the session, the PTA Chairman made some eye-opening comparisons:
📌 Pakistan’s telecom sector has generated Rs. 1,700 billion in revenue in the past six years
📌 The government has not invested any funds into the telecom sector
📌 India has invested $13 billion in connectivity under PM Modi’s leadership
📌 Pakistan is working on a fiberization policy, with 2,000 telecom towers installed last year
🌍 What’s Next for Pakistan’s Digital Future?
With Starlink’s potential arrival, high-speed internet access in remote areas could become a reality. The IT Ministry is pushing for better connectivity, and if all goes smoothly, Pakistan is on the brink of a major digital transformation.
Stay tuned for updates on Starlink’s official launch date! 🚀
