The federal government of Pakistan has officially approved the National Space Policy, a strategic initiative focused on expanding satellite communication services across the country.
Umar Saif, the interim federal minister for information technology and telecommunication, revealed that multinational corporations would introduce satellite services in Pakistan following clearance from the Ministry of Defence. Additionally, he mentioned that the private sector would contribute 6 percent of its revenue to the government’s Research and Development (R&D) fund.
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Under this policy, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will play a pivotal role in granting licenses for satellite communication services to interested companies. This move is anticipated to bring communication services to residents in remote areas of Pakistan through the utilization of low-orbit satellite technology.
The government, recognizing the potential impact of unregulated practices in the space sector, estimated an annual loss of $40 million to the country. The approval of this policy opens up opportunities for private sector involvement and is expected to regulate and harness the potential of the space industry.
Notably, with this policy in place, Elon Musk’s Starlink may emerge as the inaugural provider of low-orbit satellite services in Pakistan. This development signifies a significant stride forward for Starlink, which has faced delays in its global expansion plans in various regions.
