Starlink’s Pakistan director, Sikander Naqi, clarified the four requirements satellite operators must meet before launch. His comments follow recent statements from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority on operator conditions. Naqi also told ProPakistani that the requirements include SECP registration, finalized space regulations, an FSS licence and security clearances. He confirmed that SECP registration is already complete.
However, the remaining three requirements stay operator-specific for now. The government must issue the licensing framework before operators can fulfill them, he added. Industry consultations on the FSS framework have already taken place. Naqi said Starlink now regards the framework as finalised.
The space regulations have also reached completion, though they await internal government approval. Officials reportedly plan to incorporate security clearances into this broader framework. Naqi’s remarks come shortly after the PTA briefed a Senate committee on regulatory conditions. The PTA said operators must meet these conditions before receiving approval.
It also noted that no Starlink licence application is currently pending. Naqi further addressed the security clearance process itself. He described it as extremely stringent and demanding. The process involves extensive vetting, including checks on foreign directors.
Additionally, he said this element may need further clarification. A new procedural requirement here could delay matters further, he warned. Still, he expressed cautious optimism that most pieces are falling into place.
The Starlink Pakistan launch delay carries real consequences for underserved regions. Schools and hospitals in remote areas remain among the hardest hit. Discussion around broadband gaps in railways and aviation has also grown. Regulators are also weighing concerns over service quality and resilience nationwide.
Naqi noted that one senior regulator has already acknowledged these connectivity gaps. He said satellite operations could help address several of these problems. Starlink has spent years trying to enter the Pakistani market. Reports say the company previously registered locally as Starlink Internet Services (Private) Limited.
Once regulators grant approval, the Starlink Pakistan launch could finally connect underserved communities nationwide. Schools and hospitals stand to benefit most from reliable satellite connectivity. Finally, industry watchers say the coming weeks could prove decisive for the rollout.
