Pakistan’s highly anticipated satellite internet launch has hit a roadblock as regulatory bottlenecks and bureaucratic hurdles continue to delay progress. Despite commitments from five global players — OneWeb (Eutelsat Group), Amazon’s Kuiper, SpaceCell (SSST), SpaceX’s Starlink, and Telesat — registrations with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) remain incomplete.

This delay has raised concerns about the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan Vision, with critical digital connectivity projects stuck in limbo. Industry experts warn that prolonged regulatory inaction could push back the rollout indefinitely, jeopardizing millions of dollars in planned foreign investment.

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Government insiders admit that investment is being held up due to inter-departmental red tape. Meanwhile, the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication has failed to resolve the issues, and Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima has declined to comment further, despite earlier claims that services could launch by November or December this year.

According to PSARB officials, a draft regulatory framework has been prepared and is currently under consultation with stakeholders, though additional time is needed before final approval. This uncertainty leaves international providers in a holding pattern, unable to proceed with operations.

Analysts highlight that the entry of these companies could revolutionize Pakistan’s digital ecosystem with faster internet speeds, broader rural coverage, and significant foreign investment. For now, however, bureaucratic inertia continues to stall what could be a transformative milestone for the country’s connectivity future.