Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima confirmed on Friday that there is no delay in getting Starlink licensed in Pakistan. She also dismissed rumors suggesting any holdup.
In an informal chat with the media, she explained that the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board has appointed a consultant to create rules for Low Earth Orbit satellites. The deadline to finish these rules is set for June.
Shaza said it will take around five to six months for Starlink to set up its infrastructure in Pakistan. The company is expected to launch by December 2025. She added that Starlink has been working well with Pakistani institutions so far.
The minister also mentioned that Chinese satellite internet companies like Galaxy Space and Shanghai Space are interested in entering the Pakistani market. They want to invest in satellite internet and other space-based technologies. However, they haven’t officially applied yet.
She pointed out that Pakistan’s space policy is open to all companies. The government is ready to welcome anyone interested.
Shaza acknowledged that Pakistan’s telecom sector faces difficulties. The average revenue per user is only Rs. 270 per month, the lowest in the region. Increasing costs from fluctuating dollar rates and higher electricity prices make things worse.
She said that an upcoming spectrum auction could help improve telecom services. Companies have also submitted budget plans for the next year, which will soon be shared with the Ministry of Finance.
When asked about the temporary shutdown of social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the ministry said it was not about limiting free speech. X had not contacted the IT Ministry after the ban and may have only spoken with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. Officials noted that X does not follow Pakistani laws. Other social media platforms are in touch with the government and respond to official requests.
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