April 7, 2025
Federal Minister for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has announced that the American satellite internet company, Starlink, will begin its services in Pakistan by November or December this year.
During a briefing to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Monday, the federal minister stated that the government is in the process of providing Starlink with a license. However, some stages of the licensing process are still pending, which the company is currently going through.
She explained that Starlink first obtained registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), followed by formal registration with the Space Activities Regulatory Board. According to Shaza Fatima, after completing these stages, a temporary license was issued to the company. However, before the final No Objection Certificate (NOC) can be issued, a few more requirements need to be fulfilled.
She further stated that Starlink had requested to submit all required documents by June, but the government has granted the company an extension until May.
Additionally, she mentioned that negotiations are still ongoing regarding the pricing of the service, and once the final pricing is decided, the internet packages’ costs will be determined for Pakistan.
Shaza Fatima also revealed that besides Starlink, several Chinese satellite internet companies have also applied for licenses to operate in Pakistan. These companies will also be granted licenses after fulfilling the necessary requirements.
It is worth noting that Starlink has already successfully completed three major registration stages in Pakistan, including registration with SECP, the Pakistan Software Export Board, and the Space Activities Regulatory Board. The only remaining step is to obtain the final license from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Officials have stated that PTA is currently reviewing the documents submitted by the company, and after the license is issued, Starlink will officially begin its services in Pakistan.
Experts believe that Starlink’s services will not interfere with or disrupt the current telecom network.
It is important to note that the Pakistani government introduced the National Satellite Policy in 2023 and implemented the Space Activities Rules in 2024 to modernize the space communication sector.
Delay in 5G Auction: ‘Court Cases and Infrastructure Issues Are Obstacles’
During the meeting, Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja also addressed important points regarding the 5G auction. She stated that while there is potential for growth and revenue from the 5G auction, it cannot succeed unless the country has a robust infrastructure in place.
She informed the committee that several cases related to 5G spectrum are pending in the courts. The PTA Chairman also informed the meeting that the Shalimar Company has had a stay order from the court since 2007, and the Supreme Court has also issued a stay order regarding the 5G spectrum.
The PTA Chairman explained that Shalimar Company is currently using 140 MHz frequency, and the issue has also been discussed with the Secretary of Law.
It was also mentioned that Zong Telecom has obtained a stay order from the Supreme Court and is currently using the spectrum without charge. Shaza Fatima stated that the court’s decision on this matter has been pending for the past two years, which has led to delays in the auction process.
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee announced the formation of a subcommittee, chaired by Barrister Gohar Khan, to review the pending court cases related to the spectrum.
