ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, announced that Starlink’s satellite internet service is expected to be accessible to the public in Pakistan by November or December 2025.
Speaking during a session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology in Islamabad, the minister confirmed that the government intends to issue Starlink a formal operating license soon. She noted that while the company requested until June to fulfill all regulatory obligations, the government has set a May deadline. Pricing discussions are still in progress.
Starlink currently holds a temporary registration, and upon fulfilling all requirements, it will receive full authorization. Khawaja also mentioned that several Chinese firms have applied for internet service licenses in Pakistan.
However, legal disputes concerning spectrum bands are causing delays in the auction process. The minister warned that if these court cases aren’t resolved promptly, they could hinder the spectrum auction. She emphasized the need to offer relief to telecom operators in the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, keeping in mind the industry’s financial challenges.
To tackle these spectrum-related issues, the Standing Committee has formed a sub-committee led by Barrister Gohar to push for quicker resolution of the court cases.
Related Development:
Earlier, Shaza Fatima Khawaja confirmed that Starlink was granted a temporary No Objection Certificate (NOC) after receiving consensus from security and regulatory agencies, in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will monitor the company’s compliance with licensing and fee regulations. The minister highlighted that under the PM’s leadership, the country is progressing toward digital innovation.
