Elon Musk’s global satellite internet project, Starlink, has hit another regulatory roadblock in Pakistan. Sources have confirmed that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has decided to delay issuing a license to Starlink until the company secures permanent registration with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB). Although PSARB had previously granted Starlink a temporary registration on March 21, PTA clarified that it does not have the authority to issue a commercial license based solely on temporary approval.
The regulatory bottleneck comes as PSARB is actively working on establishing new technical and legal frameworks for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite operations in Pakistan. To streamline the process and ensure robust standards, PSARB has engaged an international consultant to help draft the country’s first formal rules for LEO satellites. Once finalized, these rules will lead to a checklist for permanent registration, outlining the technical and regulatory requirements that companies like Starlink must meet to operate legally within Pakistan’s borders.
Until Starlink completes its permanent registration, the PTA has formally decided not to proceed with license issuance. This delay has left many Pakistanis, particularly those in remote and underserved regions, disappointed, as Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet was expected to be a game-changer for connectivity gaps across the country. While the current wait is frustrating, experts believe that these new regulations will ultimately create a stronger, more secure framework for satellite internet services in Pakistan.
Starlink’s ambitious plans to provide satellite broadband in Pakistan remain in limbo for now, but once regulatory processes are completed, the service is poised to make a significant impact. Stay tuned to PakScoop for the latest updates as this story develops.
