The Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has confirmed that Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk, has been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). She shared this information on Monday and also said that the licensing process is ongoing.
This news has excited many, especially after Elon Musk said just two days before that he was waiting for approval from the Pakistani government to launch Starlink in the country. Musk made this statement in response to a Pakistani activist on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Has Starlink Recently Registered in Pakistan?
The minister also explained that the Space Board Authority is checking the technical details, and they have shared this with Starlink. However, it’s important to be cautious with this news. A similar announcement was made in March 2023, when Ryan Goodnight from SpaceX met with the former IT Minister Syed Aminul Haq. At that time, it was also said that Starlink had been registered with the SECP, and Goodnight praised Pakistan’s progress in the IT and telecom sectors.
Elon Musk’s Starlink gets registered in Pakistan
The minister mentioned that the government is working on rules to allow all international companies, including Starlink, to provide satellite services in Pakistan. This suggests that Starlink’s registration in Pakistan may have already happened in 2023, but the service isn’t available yet as it still needs final approval.
Starlink registered with Securities and Exchange Commission of PakistanThe IT minister also emphasized that the government is working on a regulatory system for all companies offering low earth orbit (LEO) satellite services. For now, the public should be cautious and wait for more information, including official approvals and the launch timeline. The registration is an official step, but it does not mean the service will be available immediately.
Dubai to Start Smart Rental Index for Commercial Properties
Government officials are working with international experts to create a policy for regulating these types of satellites. Everyone is now waiting for the final decisions from Islamabad and SpaceX regarding Starlink’s launch in Pakistan.