Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, is expected to launch in Pakistan by June 2025. However, the process of granting its license has been delayed because there was no regulatory authority in place to oversee the approval.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology has now stepped in and asked the relevant authorities to speed up the licensing process. Starlink has been in discussions with Pakistan for nearly two years, and the committee has directed officials to complete all necessary paperwork as soon as possible.
Despite the push for faster approval, some concerns have been raised regarding data privacy and security. Officials want to ensure that the satellite internet service operates safely and does not compromise national security.
During the meeting, the committee also reviewed the overall state of internet connectivity in Pakistan. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) revealed that the telecom sector has not seen any major investments in recent years. This lack of investment has slowed down the expansion of internet services, particularly in remote and rural areas.
To address this issue, the committee urged the government to focus on improving the country’s internet infrastructure. They emphasized the need to develop fiber optic networks, which would help provide high-speed internet to more people across Pakistan, especially those living in underserved areas.
