Elon Musk, responding to messages on the social media platform X, confirmed that his Starlink company is in talks with the government, while Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that the internet provider company Starlink has been registered in Pakistan. The Minister of Information Technology, responding to questions on the status of Starlink’s entry into Pakistan’s internet business on the social media platform, said that it is registered and the licensing process is underway. Along with this, some users tagged Tesla, X and Starlink owner Elon Musk and requested him to provide satellite-based internet services in Pakistan. One user wrote, “Dear Elon Musk!” Please bring Starlink to Pakistan, our people need better internet especially in remote areas, access to platforms like X is also limited here, Starlink can connect millions of people, another internet user wrote to Elon Musk that Pakistan can gain the ability to enter the future with Starlink, where every citizen will have the opportunity to establish and develop connections, please let Starlink be our bridge to tomorrow, Elon Musk replied to the user’s post that we are waiting for approval from the government, the registration process is with the National Space Agency (NSA), which is the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission.
In April 2024, the government had notified the National Space Activities Rules 2024, which apply to space activities carried out within the boundaries of Pakistan. Under the rules, the National Space Agency will be authorized to enter into any agreement with foreign satellite operators to acquire, distribute and sell foreign satellite data in Pakistan. A senior official of the IT Ministry said that after the registration process, the satellite data operator will approach the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to obtain a license and start services. About 6 operators are currently providing satellite-based internet services globally and new players are also entering the field, including Starlink, Amazon, OneWeb and a Chinese operator. Meanwhile, NSA sources said that a Chinese company has also obtained information to enter Pakistan’s internet market. They provide internet services from satellites operating in low Earth orbit, which provide continuous transmission or data coverage even in remote areas. The official added that so far only the Maldives has licensed Starlink in the South and Southeast Asian region, while all countries, including India and Bangladesh, are analyzing the technical aspects of satellite services from low Earth orbit.