Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has received provisional permission to begin operations in Pakistan. The approval comes under the guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other government agencies, as confirmed by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja in a statement on Friday.
Starlink’s entry into Pakistan marks the formal launch of satellite internet services in the country. The Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) has granted the company permission, but Starlink will need to register with the PSARB and acquire an operating license from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) before it can start offering services.
The PTA will also need to address various key issues in an agreement with Starlink, including fee payments and other licensing requirements. These discussions are expected to begin on Monday, with the government aiming to finalize all formalities within two weeks. However, a senior PTA official noted that negotiations are ongoing regarding mutual agreements on the shutdown of services in certain areas for security reasons, a common practice during political or religious events.
Despite the formal permission, Starlink’s services were already being utilized in areas along the Afghanistan border where traditional internet infrastructure is lacking. The satellite-based service, which provides internet by sending signals from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, allows users to access the internet with a small device that captures the satellite signals.
Source: https://meatechwatch.com/2025/03/24/starlink-granted-provisional-permission-to-operate-in-pakistan/