Islamabad: Pakistani legislators have called on Elon Musk, the owner of Starlink and head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to issue a public apology for allegedly making anti-Pakistan remarks on social media.
The demand arose during a session of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, on Wednesday. The committee discussed licensing procedures for satellite internet services in Pakistan, focusing particularly on Starlink’s potential operations.
Senator Palwasha Khan voiced serious concerns about Musk’s recent social media activity, accusing him of endorsing narratives unfavorable to Pakistan.
“It seems that Elon Musk has allied with India to disseminate false accusations against Pakistan,” she stated during the session.
Adding to the debate, Senator Afnan Ullah Khan proposed making Musk’s public apology a prerequisite for granting Starlink a license in Pakistan.
“The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) must consider Musk’s anti-Pakistan campaign before granting a license. He should apologize before any further action is taken,” he asserted.
The Special Secretary for IT highlighted the importance of maintaining sensitivity while dealing with satellite internet services in Pakistan. He also refuted Musk’s recent claims on social media, which suggested that Starlink was waiting for approval, stating there had been no direct communication between Starlink and Pakistani authorities.
The controversy underscores the growing scrutiny of international tech companies seeking to expand their operations in Pakistan amidst geopolitical tensions in the region.
