On March 21, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication announced that Starlink, a satellite-based internet provider owned by Elon Musk, has been granted a temporary No Objection Certificate (NOC) to operate in Pakistan. The approval was issued following a directive from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and after clearance from all relevant security and regulatory bodies, including the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB).
“Starlink has been issued a temporary NOC with the consensus of all security and regulatory agencies,” said Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja. “Starlink’s arrival in Pakistan will mark the formal launch of satellite internet services.”
The minister stated that the prime minister had directed to improve the internet system in the country. “Modern solutions like satellite internet will improve connectivity in the country,” she said.
The Ministry of IT coordinated with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Cybercrime Agency, security agencies, and PSARB for the registration process.
According to PTA sources, the PSARB granted the NOC after Starlink completed all requirements under the National Satellite Policy 2023 and the Pakistan Space Activities Rules 2024. PTA is expected to complete the remaining licensing steps and fee collection in the coming weeks. According to officials, the company may take up to one year to begin services in Pakistan.
Starlink Internet Services is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) under the name Starlink Internet Services (Private) Limited. The company has applied to establish two to three ground stations in Pakistan.
Starlink submitted an application for a Long-Distance International (LDI) licence on February 24, 2022, and applied for 14 Local Loop licences on April 29, 2022, as part of its plan to provide internet services through Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
Photo: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN, SEP 13: Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza
Fatima Khawaja (PPI Images).
