Pakistan’s delay in approving Starlink’s operating license has ignited a debate over whether the hold-up stems from national security concerns or political considerations. This issue has grown more complex following Elon Musk’s comments on UK grooming cases and his perceived proximity to former US President Donald Trump. The decision is being viewed as a test of Pakistan’s willingness to engage with global tech giants while balancing internal security concerns and external political pressures.
In January 2024, as Pakistani citizens grappled with poor internet quality due to the country’s newly implemented national firewall, many turned to social media to plead for an alternative. Several users tagged Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter), asking him to activate Starlink services. Musk, the founder of SpaceX and the driving force behind Starlink, responded by stating that the company was waiting for the Pakistani government’s approval. However, that approval has not yet been granted, raising questions about whether the delay is purely technical or if it is influenced by political tensions.
The Starlink approval process became entangled in political controversy after Musk commented on UK grooming gangs. In response to an Indian lawmaker’s objection to the broad use of the term “Asian,” Musk appeared to endorse the claim that the perpetrators of these crimes were primarily “Pakistani” men. This comment sparked widespread outrage in Pakistan, with lawmakers suggesting that any decision on Starlink’s operating license should consider Musk’s remarks.
Palwasha Khan, a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly, confirmed that the grooming gangs’ controversy was raised during parliamentary discussions about Starlink. She argued that the government should demand an apology from Musk before allowing his company to operate in the country. This sentiment reflects growing concern among Pakistani lawmakers about how foreign companies engage with the nation’s image and sovereignty.
However, some officials insist that the decision should remain focused on technical and national security matters rather than Musk’s personal statements. Ahmed Atteeq Anwer, a legislator from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and a member of the National Assembly’s Information Technology and Telecommunication Committee, argued that Starlink’s potential to improve internet access in remote areas should be prioritized over political disputes.
“This is a matter of internet infrastructure and national interest,” Anwer stated. “Starlink can benefit regions where laying traditional fibre optic cables is impractical. But any international company operating in Pakistan must comply with our laws and regulations, with national security being the top priority.”
At the same time, Anwer acknowledged that Musk’s dual business and political affiliations complicate the decision. Since Starlink is a satellite-based service, it could allow users to bypass Pakistan’s national firewall, raising concerns about data privacy and regulatory control.
Although Starlink has been registered in Pakistan since June 2021, it requires several layers of regulatory approval before becoming fully operational. According to a senior official at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the country’s telecom regulator, the process involves three critical steps.
First, companies must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), which Starlink has already completed. Next, they must obtain clearance from the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB). Finally, the PTA must give the ultimate approval for commercial operations.
Currently, Starlink’s application is under review at PSARB. The regulatory board confirmed that it has been in direct communication with SpaceX’s headquarters in the United States. However, the PTA official noted that there are concerns about potential satellite interference and the risk of disrupting existing communication networks.
“These satellites may cause interference because their frequencies can overlap with other satellites already serving Pakistan,” the official explained. “The space regulator must ensure that Pakistan’s current satellite operations remain undisturbed.”
While the technical review continues, some experts believe the delay reflects broader political and economic concerns. The Pakistani government has intensified regulatory scrutiny over internet services following the nationwide ban on X in February 2024. The platform was blocked under orders from the Ministry of Interior after it refused to comply with government demands to remove content deemed harmful to national interests.
The ongoing delay in approving Starlink could have significant implications for Pakistan’s struggling economy. Wahaj us Siraj, CEO of NayaTel—one of Pakistan’s leading internet service providers—criticized the slow regulatory process, arguing that it deters both local and foreign investors.
“Regulatory permission for Starlink should have been granted within 90 days at most,” Siraj said. “However, in Pakistan, acquiring the necessary licenses and no-objection certificates (NOCs) can take years. This gives the impression that Pakistan is closed for business.”
Pakistan’s poor internet infrastructure exacerbates these concerns. The country consistently ranks among the lowest globally for internet speeds. According to the Ookla Speedtest Global Index, Pakistan is ranked 96th out of 104 countries for mobile internet speeds and 138th out of 152 nations for fixed broadband.
Frequent internet disruptions over the past year have worsened the situation. The government has attributed these outages to faults in the undersea cables connecting Pakistan to the global internet. Industry leaders argue that introducing Starlink could provide a reliable alternative, particularly in remote areas where traditional infrastructure is limited.
Pakistan’s broader economic woes add urgency to the debate. In 2023, the country narrowly avoided a sovereign default and is currently under its 25th loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), valued at $7 billion. With foreign investment already at historic lows, the regulatory impasse on Starlink risks further damaging Pakistan’s economic prospects.
Beyond the economic and technical considerations, the Starlink controversy has raised concerns about its impact on US-Pakistan relations. Given Musk’s close ties to Trump, some fear that denying Starlink could strain bilateral relations, while others dismiss such concerns as overstated.
Ahmed Atteeq Anwer downplayed the potential diplomatic fallout, asserting that economic matters are separate from national interests. “Major powers engage with Pakistan when it serves their strategic interests,” he said. “Our decision on Starlink should not be influenced by Musk’s political affiliations or his relationship with Trump.”
Qandil Abbas, a professor of international relations at Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad, echoed this sentiment. He argued that Pakistan should engage with Musk purely on commercial terms, noting that the tech mogul does not hold any official government position.
“Musk is important in business relations, but Pakistan’s focus should remain on state-to-state diplomacy,” Abbas said. “There is no guarantee that Musk will retain influence in Trump’s inner circle if Trump returns to power.”
As the debate continues, the fate of Starlink’s operations in Pakistan remains uncertain. The government faces a difficult balancing act—addressing national security concerns while encouraging technological advancement and foreign investment.
For now, the issue remains mired in bureaucratic review and political controversy. Whether Pakistan ultimately grants Starlink a license may reveal the country’s approach to navigating the complex intersection of business, politics, and international relations in the digital age.
