Elon Musk’s Starlink Yet to Get Security Clearance to Secure License to Operate in Pakistan | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Elon Musk’s Starlink Yet to Get Security Clearance to Secure License to Operate in Pakistan

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (Retd.) Hafeez ur Rehman revealed that Starlink Internet Services (Private) Ltd., a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is yet to obtain the required security clearance to secure a license and commence operations in Pakistan.

“The matter can be resolved in one month and Starlink can launch services, once it gets security clearance as well as the required LDI and LL licenses from PTA,” said the PTA chairman while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication. 

Senator Palwasha Khan raised concerns over Elon Musk’s statements regarding grooming gangs in the UK allegedly operated by Pakistanis. “It seems Elon Musk has partnered with India to propagate false allegations against Pakistan,” she stated.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Afnanullah Khan said:  “The PTA must consider Musk’s campaign against Pakistan before issuing a license. He should apologise for his statements before any further steps are taken.”

The PTA chairman stated that satellite-based telecommunication services can be provided by any satellite service provider after complying with PTA licensing requirements, including the provision of monitoring and lawful interception facilities. He explained that Starlink had registered itself with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) as Starlink Internet Services Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd., a holding of Netherlands BV Starlink (SpaceX).

Starlink applied for a Long Distance & International (LDI) license on February 24, 2022, and 14 Local Loop (LL) licenses on April 29, 2022. The case was processed to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MOIT&T) on March 11, 2022, to bring all stakeholders on board. The Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) informed that the Starlink satellite constellation is operating worldwide without reported cases of harmful interference to incumbent terrestrial systems or geostationary satellites.

The National Satellite Policy was approved in December 2023. However, the committee questioned how a caretaker government could approve such a policy and its subsequent rules. The policy is to be implemented through the National Space Agency (SUPARCO) and directs all relevant federal and provincial ministries, divisions, departments, and agencies to extend full support in achieving the policy’s objectives.

Shanghai Space Technology is also entering the Pakistani market.

Elon Musk recently stated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he is awaiting approval from the Pakistani government to launch Starlink in the country. This statement came in response to a request by Pakistani social media user Sanam Jamali, who urged Musk to introduce Starlink in Pakistan. Musk responded, stating that he is waiting for the necessary approvals from the government.

Earlier,  on January 7, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, met with a Starlink delegation to discuss the company’s licensing progress in Pakistan. Starlink, known for its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, has registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) but is awaiting approval from the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) for satellite landing rights, followed by an operational license from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).


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