Senators Accuse Musk of Anti-Pakistan Stance
- The Senate Standing Committee on IT & Telecom criticized SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for allegedly promoting an anti-Pakistan narrative through his recent remarks about Starlink’s availability in the country.
- Some committee members claimed Musk was favoring India over Pakistan and demanded a public apology before Starlink’s entry into the Pakistani market.
No Official Negotiations with Starlink Yet
- Secretary IT clarified that there have been no formal talks between the Pakistani government and Starlink for its operations in the country.
- The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) emphasized that Starlink requires government security clearance before obtaining a license.
PTA’s Conditions for Starlink
- Chairman PTA, Major General (R) Hafeezur Rehman, stated that Starlink must adhere to government policies, including routing internet traffic through approved gateways.
- He assured that Starlink has committed to not bypassing Pakistan’s internet systems.
Space Regulatory Authority Oversight
- The newly established Space Regulatory Authority will oversee satellite internet services and low Earth orbit (LEO) technologies.
- The committee requested a detailed briefing from the authority to address concerns related to Starlink’s licensing and space policies.
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Concerns Over Policy Delegation
- A lawmaker criticized the IT Ministry for delegating its responsibilities, including implementing the PECA law, to the Interior Ministry.
- Questions were raised about Starlink’s registry mechanism and pending security clearances.
