Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, convened to discuss the licensing of satellite internet services, particularly Starlink's operations in Pakistan.

During the session, Chairman PTA revealed that Starlink had applied for registration on February 24, 2022, and the matter was referred to the Ministry of Interior for security clearance. The case now lies with the newly established regulatory body, PASRB, which will decide on granting the license.

Senator Palwasha Khan expressed strong reservations about Elon Musk's recent anti-Pakistan campaign on social media, accusing him of aligning with India's narrative against Pakistan. “It seems Elon Musk has partnered with India to propagate false allegations against Pakistan,” she stated.

Senator Afnan Ullah Khan proposed that granting Starlink a license should be conditional upon Elon Musk issuing a public apology for his anti-Pakistan remarks. “The PTA must consider Musk’s campaign against Pakistan before issuing a license. He should apologize for his statements before any further steps are taken,” he demanded.

Special Secretary IT acknowledged the sensitivity of providing satellite internet services in Pakistan and clarified that Musk’s recent tweets about awaiting approval were misleading, as there has been no direct engagement from him with the Pakistani authorities.

The committee also addressed concerns regarding the new regulatory framework under the National Space Policy 2023, questioning the PTA's role in transferring funds to the new authority. Former IT Minister Senator Anusha Rahman raised doubts about the caretaker government’s constitutional authority to enforce such policies.

The committee concluded by summoning detailed briefings from the Ministry of IT and PTA to address the outstanding issues surrounding satellite internet licensing, including Starlink’s application.

Starlink Subscription process

New users interested in Starlink must follow these steps:

Visit the Starlink website and input their address to check availability.
Secure a spot in the queue by paying a refundable deposit (usually USD 99).
Receive the Starlink Kit, which includes a dish, Wi-Fi router, power supply, cables, and mounting tripod.
Install the dish in an open area with a clear sky view and follow setup instructions via the Starlink ap