Government will hire a consultant to develop regulatory framework


The logo of Starlink, a satellite Internet service provider owned by American billionaire Elon Musk. — AFP/Archive
  • Government will hire a consultant for Starlink and LEO satellite projects.
  • Meeting focused on aligning satellite policies with global standards.
  • Ministry of IT committed to developing a world class framework.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government plans to hire a consultant to finalize regulations for US billionaire Elon Musk-owned satellite company Starlink’s internet services in Pakistan, it emerged on Tuesday.

The development was discussed during a meeting chaired by Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, which focused on the advancement of connectivity and satellite technology in Pakistan.

The session, which included representatives from SUPARCO, PTA and the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board, delved into Starlink’s licensing and regulatory progress, along with the development of a regulatory framework for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. .

During the meeting, it was decided to hire a consultant in the coming weeks to assist in the licensing process for Starlink and LEO satellites, with the aim of aligning Pakistan’s satellite policies with international standards.

The meeting also discussed how the use of LEO satellites could improve connectivity and contribute to the technological advancement of the nation.

Additionally, the IT Ministry expressed its commitment to establish a regulatory framework for satellite technology that meets global standards.

The meeting came a day after the state minister confirmed that satellite internet provider company Starlink was registered with the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

“[Following the approval] The space board authority is investigating various technical aspects and we have been in touch. [about this] to Starlink,” he said while speaking with geo.tv.

The IT minister added that a regulatory regime was being drawn up to make all low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite companies, including Starlink, “be open to all international companies”.

Two days earlier, Musk confirmed that he was waiting for approval from Islamabad to launch Starlink in Pakistan. He made the comments while responding to messages on social media platform X from a Pakistani social media activist.

Starlink license: Government to hire consultant to develop regulatory framework

“Pakistan’s Internet at a low price”

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said Internet in Pakistan was “low priced” compared to other countries.

Speaking to reporters at the opening ceremony of the Media Cricket League 2025, he rejected a report that claimed Pakistan suffered huge financial losses last year due to internet outages.

“I don’t know where those Internet statistics come from,” he said, adding that the Internet has improved and will improve even more in the coming days.

The country has been grappling with slow internet since last year along with a ban on social media platform a “firewall” by the authorities.

According to a list published by Ookla Speedtest Global Index, Pakistan ranked 100th out of 111 countries in mobile internet speeds with a download speed of 20.61 Mbps and an upload speed of 8.53 Mbps.

Meanwhile, the index ranked the country 141 out of 158 countries in broadband speeds with a download speed of 15.60 Mbps and an upload speed of 15.53 Mbps.

The issue was also debated in both houses of parliament several times, but without success. The outage also resulted in financial losses for the country’s IT industry.



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