SpaceX owner Elon Musk announced on Saturday that he is awaiting government approval to roll out Starlink internet services in Pakistan. “We are awaiting approval from the government,” Musk tweeted on January 4, 2025, via his platform X (formerly Twitter).
On the same day, Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima confirmed that Starlink Internet Services Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd has applied for an operating license in the country. She stated that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is currently processing license applications only from companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
This procedural requirement has posed a significant hurdle for Starlink’s entry into the Pakistani market. Additionally, there have been reports of less visible challenges between local authorities and Musk’s satellite-based internet service provider.
The urgency for improved internet services in Pakistan has grown due to frequent and prolonged internet outages over the past year. The federal government has attributed these disruptions to submarine cable failures and national security concerns.
Moreover, social media platform X has also faced connectivity challenges, with the platform being banned in Pakistan since February 17, 2024.
Starlink’s potential entry could mark a transformative moment for Pakistan’s internet landscape, particularly for remote and underserved areas where conventional broadband access remains limited. However, the approval process and regulatory hurdles will determine the timeline for the service’s availability in the country.
