Starlink to launch its services in Pakistan by end of 2025, confirms IT minister

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has announced that Starlink, the satellite-based internet service by SpaceX, will be made available to the public in Pakistan by November or December 2025.

The announcement was made during a session of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, held in Islamabad.

Speaking at the meeting, the minister stated that the government is actively working to grant Starlink a license, enabling it to operate fully in the country. While Starlink has requested until June 2025 to fulfill all regulatory obligations, the government has set a deadline of May to expedite the process. Pricing discussions for the service are also ongoing.

Currently, Starlink holds temporary registration, and upon completing the necessary formalities, it will be granted full operational approval, she added.

Read more: Starlink clears major regulatory hurdle for operations in Pakistan

Minister Khawaja further revealed that several Chinese companies have also submitted applications for internet service licenses in Pakistan. However, she pointed out that ongoing court cases related to spectrum bands are delaying the auction process, potentially complicating matters if not resolved promptly.

Highlighting the importance of industry sustainability, she stressed that telecom operators should be given relief in the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, to prevent the risk of defaults and financial strain within the sector.

To address the spectrum issues, the Standing Committee formed a sub-committee, chaired by Barrister Gohar, tasked with accelerating the legal proceedings and enabling timely decisions on pending spectrum-related cases.