The IT Minister clarified that there are no significant obstacles in the licensing process, but noted that satellite internet is a new technology that requires consideration from multiple perspectives.

To draft the final regulations, a consultant has been hired, she added.

Shaza also revealed that a Chinese company, Shanghai Spacecom, has applied to provide similar satellite internet services in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeez-ur-Rehman briefed the committee, explaining that Starlink has been granted a temporary license, but a full operational license is still pending.

This will only be issued once the regulatory framework is complete. He added that Starlink’s license is currently under issuance, and the company will need to reapply once the final regulations are set.

The meeting concluded with the expectation that Starlink’s infrastructure will be deployed in the coming months, making the service operational by the end of the year.