Elon Musk Gives Major Update on Starlink’s Arrival in Pakistan
SpaceX owner Elon Musk announced on Saturday, January 4, 2025, that he is awaiting approval from the Government of Pakistan to enable access to Starlink internet services in the country. Responding to a tweet on X, Musk stated, “We are waiting for approval from the government.”
Starlink’s Entry to Pakistan: Current Developments
SpaceX owner Elon Musk recently stated that he is awaiting approval from the Government of Pakistan to bring Starlink internet services to the country. Responding to a tweet on X on January 4, 2025, Musk said, “We are waiting for approval from the government.”
US Push for Starlink in Pakistan
This announcement follows a tweet by US President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for presidential envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, who urged Musk to prioritize adding Pakistan to Starlink’s service areas.
Pakistan’s Licensing Process
On the same day, Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima confirmed that Starlink Internet Services Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. has applied for a license. She highlighted that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is currently processing applications from companies registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). However, underlying complications between local authorities and Starlink remain a significant hurdle.
Current Status of Starlink’s Application
ProPakistani reports that discussions between the federal government and Starlink are still in the early stages. PTA officials confirmed that Starlink’s application is under preliminary review, focusing on technical aspects like bandwidth, uplinking, and gateway infrastructure.
The National Space Agency (SUPARCO) is also evaluating the application within the framework of the National Space Policy. Approval from SUPARCO is a prerequisite before the PTA can provide regulatory clearance.
Key Challenges
Officials have outlined several technical challenges Starlink must address to advance in the licensing process. These include compliance with bandwidth standards, uplink requirements, and the establishment of gateway infrastructure. Once these issues are resolved, Starlink will need clearance from SUPARCO and the PTA before it can begin operations in Pakistan.
Since last year, Pakistan has been grappling with frequent internet disruptions. The federal government has attributed these interruptions primarily to submarine cable faults and national security concerns.
Social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) has been one of the most affected by these disruptions. The platform has remained banned in Pakistan since February 17, 2024.