Elon Musk confirmed on Saturday that Starlink has applied for permission to launch internet services in Pakistan and is currently awaiting government approval.
Musk’s confirmation came after a post by Pakistani user Sanam Jamali, who expressed optimism that Starlink could help Pakistan move towards a more connected future. Jamali later shared that Pakistan had approved Starlink’s entry and urged Musk to accelerate the launch, emphasizing the potential benefits such as improved connectivity, education, and opportunities for millions of people.
Earlier, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Minister of State for IT, confirmed that Pakistan is in discussions with Starlink to bring satellite internet to the country. During a heated parliamentary session, she acknowledged the challenges facing Pakistan’s internet infrastructure but reiterated the government’s commitment to improving services, despite disruptions such as the X ban, which she noted affects less than two percent of the population. She also defended surveillance measures, citing national security concerns in the wake of recent terrorist attacks.
Starlink’s previous attempts to enter the Pakistani market were delayed due to regulatory concerns, particularly the potential interference with the country’s geostationary satellite, PakSAT-MM1.
A report from Top10VPN.com revealed that Pakistan is the country most affected by internet outages, with losses amounting to $1.62 billion. This is part of a broader global trend where internet outages led to a total loss of $7.69 billion in 2024.
