IT Minister Finally Confirms Starlink Launch Date in Pakistan

Starlink is expected to begin offering satellite internet services in Pakistan by November or December this year, IT Minister Shaza Fatima told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology during a meeting on Monday. The IT Minister added that there are no hurdles in the licensing process but noted that satellite internet is a relatively new technology, and multiple perspectives had to be considered. A consultant has been hired to draft the final regulations, she said. Once the regulatory framework is completed, Starlink will be required to formally reapply for its license, the minister confirmed. Shaza also disclosed that a Chinese firm, Shanghai Spacecom, has applied to offer similar satellite internet services in Pakistan. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (retd) Hafeez-ur-Rehman, briefed the committee that Starlink has been granted a temporary license, but a full operational license is still pending and will only be issued after regulatory frameworks are finalized. Starlink’s license is currently in the issuance stage, he said, adding that the company will need to reapply once the final regulations are in place. The meeting concluded with the expectation that Starlink’s infrastructure deployment would be completed in the coming months and make the service operational before the end of the year.