Elon Musk has confirmed that Starlink is in discussions with Pakistani Government and awaits regulatory approval to launch in Pakistan.
Taking to his official X handle on Saturday, Musk revealed: “We are waiting for approval from the government.” He made the statements during a conversation with Pakistani social media activist Sanam Jamali, as the nation has been dealing with internet-related challenges for several months.
Jamali urged Musk to expedite Starlink’s launch in Pakistan, saying: “Millions await the connectivity, education, and opportunities Starlink could offer.”
Despite internet outages for millions of customers across the country, Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima informed the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom that measures were underway to enable Starlink’s arrival. She responded to questions on the state of Starlink’s entry into Pakistan’s internet sector on the social media site, saying, “It is registered, and the licensing is in process.”
With the growth of Pakistan’s IT sector, the potential for Starlink to connect underserved regions and reduce the digital divide is noteworthy. However, its launch timeline depends on the government’s final decision.
At this time, individuals in Pakistan seeking high-speed satellite internet will need to stay tuned for additional information from Starlink and relevant local officials.
