Pakistan’s Satellite Internet Policy Nears Completion as Starlink Prospects Emerge

 

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on October 13, 2026, that Pakistan is nearing completion of the regulatory framework required to introduce satellite internet services in the country.

Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Symposium on Digital Transformation and the Universal Service Fund (USF), the minister explained that the framework for Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) would be finalised following consultations with relevant institutions. The government aims to establish a business-friendly regulatory environment to attract companies interested in providing satellite-based internet connectivity.

The development could open the door for international service providers, including Starlink, which delivers internet connectivity through satellites. However, progress on the regulatory framework does not mean Starlink has been granted permission to begin commercial operations in Pakistan. The relevant regulatory process must be completed before services can launch under the applicable rules.

Khawaja also highlighted progress in Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. According to figures she shared, the gender gap in mobile internet usage has fallen from 38% to 8%. She further stated that three new submarine internet cables had landed in Pakistan over the past two and a half years.

The minister added that the Universal Service Fund had laid more than 17,000 kilometres of optical fibre across the country. These infrastructure initiatives are intended to expand internet access and improve connectivity, particularly in underserved areas where reliable digital services remain limited.