Elon Musk has confirmed that Starlink has applied for permission to launch internet services in Pakistan. However, the company is awaiting official approval from the Pakistani government.
The announcement came after a Pakistani citizen, Sanam Jamali, posted on X, expressing hope for Starlink’s entry into the country. Jamali highlighted the need for better internet connectivity to drive Pakistan forward.
In response, Musk acknowledged that Starlink had submitted the necessary applications but was awaiting further clearance. Following this, Jamali posted again, claiming that Pakistan had approved Starlink’s entry and urged Musk to accelerate the launch process.
Government Negotiations in Progress
Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, confirmed ongoing negotiations with Starlink during a parliamentary session on Friday. She emphasized that improving internet infrastructure is a priority for the government.
Khawaja acknowledged the country’s connectivity issues, pointing to recent internet disruptions. She stated that despite the ban on X, only a small fraction of the population was affected.
Khawaja defended the government’s surveillance policies, citing national security concerns. She referenced the recent wave of terrorist attacks as a reason for heightened measures.
Regulatory Hurdles for Starlink
Starlink’s earlier efforts to enter Pakistan faced significant regulatory delays. Concerns about potential interference with the country’s geostationary satellite, PakSAT-MM1, stalled progress.
Regulators had warned that Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites could disrupt existing satellite services. Addressing these concerns remains a key part of ongoing negotiations.
Economic Impact of Internet Disruptions
Pakistan has been one of the hardest-hit countries by internet outages, according to a report by Top10VPN.com. The report revealed that Pakistan lost $1.62 billion due to internet blackouts last year.
Globally, internet disruptions cost $7.69 billion, with outages lasting over 88,000 hours. Pakistan’s position at the top of this list reflects the urgent need for reliable internet services.
Future Prospects
Starlink’s entry into Pakistan could transform digital connectivity and provide new opportunities for millions of citizens. Faster internet access could boost education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.
As negotiations continue, both the Pakistani government and Starlink remain optimistic about reaching an agreement. Approval of Starlink’s services may pave the way for greater digital inclusion across the country.
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