A Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom meeting on Thursday was dominated by concerns about Starlink and satellite internet services as the federal government has so far failed to notify a sensible timeline for allowing or launching such services in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeez ur Rehman clarified that any satellite internet provider, including Starlink, must first register with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) before applying for a licence to operate in the country.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeez ur Rehman clarified that any satellite internet provider, including Starlink, must first register with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) before applying for a licence to operate in the country.

He stressed that no company can legally offer satellite internet services without completing this regulatory process.

During the session, Senator Afnan Ullah Khan raised concerns about the possibility of Starlink operating in certain regions, including Balochistan, and pointed to the lack of clarity in monitoring and regulation of satellite-based internet systems.

Lawmakers said the broader issue is that the government has failed to set a sensible timeline for launching or regulating Starlink internet in Pakistan.

The IT Secretary stated that there is no confirmed evidence of Starlink operating in Balochistan, while Pakistan is still working on developing its satellite and space technology framework.

The committee also reviewed long-pending telecom competition rules, originally drafted in 2009, which remain unfinalized despite multiple submissions from the PTA to the Ministry of IT. Officials said the final decision now rests with the ministry, which has been given a one-month deadline to complete the process.

The meeting further discussed ongoing telecom challenges, including mobile service disruptions in areas such as Lakki Marwat, infrastructure constraints on motorways, and operational issues linked to diesel shortages for telecom towers.

PTA officials said some field-level issues had been resolved, but rising fuel costs and infrastructure gaps continue to affect service quality.

The committee also raised concerns about Long Distance and International (LDI) operator disputes worth Rs. 2.2 billion, which remain pending in courts.

The IT Secretary added that Pakistan’s telecom sector continues to face structural challenges, including low revenue per user and high electricity costs. Both issues are limiting investment and network expansion, he added.

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