Elon Musk’s Starlink Provides Satellite Service to Pakistan.

Under the National Space Policy, international companies such as Starlink are permitted to launch satellite communication services in Pakistan after obtaining permission from the Ministry of Defense.

National Space Policy:

The caretaker government has approved the National Space Policy, allowing private-sector companies to deploy low-Earth orbit satellites for satellite communication services in Pakistan.

The move is expected to address the $40 million annual economic loss attributed to the unregulated space sector, where significant resources remain untapped.

New Policy For International Companies:

Under the new policy, international companies, including Starlink, are permitted to launch satellite communication services in Pakistan after obtaining a no-objection certificate from the Ministry of Defense.

The private sector will contribute 6% of its earnings to the government’s Research and Development (R&D) Fund to encourage the initiative.

Federal IT Minister Dr. Umar Saif Statement:

Caretaker Information Technology and Telecommunications Minister Dr. Umar Saif stated that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would issue licenses for satellite communication services to interested private parties. The initiative’s goal is to provide communication services, particularly in remote areas where fiber cable networks do not exist.

Policy Framework:

The policy framework was developed in consultation with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Information Technology, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), and the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB).