LAHORE: Starlink, the global satellite internet venture by SpaceX, is preparing to officially launch services in Pakistan by late 2025, with reliable sources confirming that Elon Musk himself is likely to attend the inaugural event.
Starlink has formally agreed to operate under Pakistani laws and the upcoming national satellite regulatory framework, signaling the first major step toward integrating global satellite internet into the country’s digital landscape.
According to officials, the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) is in the final stages of developing a framework aligned with international best practices. Once finalized, Starlink will be registered and licensed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
A high-level workshop was held last month at a local hotel in Islamabad with participation from global satellite and telecom giants like Amazon, OneWeb, and Shanghai Telecom, alongside Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima. While several companies expressed interest, Starlink was the first to officially submit a registration request.
Once launched, Starlink is expected to provide high-speed, low-latency internet in even the most remote and mountainous regions of Pakistan-bridging the digital divide in areas long underserved by traditional broadband providers.
Officials believe this move could boost economic activity, enhance educational and healthcare access, and support Pakistan’s push for digital inclusion and smart governance.
“Starlink’s entry could be a game-changer,” said one senior IT official, noting that improved connectivity in Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and rural Sindh could unlock new economic zones and e-commerce growth.
Sources also emphasized that Pakistan’s national security agencies have cleared the operational model, and no threats to data integrity or sovereignty have been flagged.
If Elon Musk attends the inauguration, it will mark his first-ever visit to Pakistan, and could serve as a symbolic reset in global tech investment interest in the country.
