The caretaker federal government has sanctioned the National Space Policy, aiming to facilitate satellite communication services across Pakistan.
Umar Saif, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, emphasized that multinational corporations will introduce satellite services in the country following clearance from the Ministry of Defence through the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
To bolster this initiative, the private sector will allocate 6 percent of its revenue to contribute to the government’s Research and Development (R&D) fund.
The minister confirmed that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will be responsible for granting satellite communication service licenses to interested companies. This development is expected to enable residents in remote areas of Pakistan to access communication services through low-orbit satellite technology.
Highlighting the potential impact of unregulated practices in the space sector, the government estimated an annual loss of $40 million to the country.
With the approval of this policy, Elon Musk’s Starlink is poised to potentially become the inaugural provider of low-orbit satellite services in Pakistan, marking a significant advancement after encountering delays over the years.
