Pakistan eyes Starlink deal to boost internet access in remote areas

LOS ANGELES: Pakistan is exploring a potential partnership with SpaceX to bring Starlink satellite internet services to underserved areas, aiming to close the country’s widening digital gap.

During a recent visit to SpaceX’s headquarters in Los Angeles, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh discussed possible collaboration on the deployment of Starlink’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network. He was joined by Consul General Asim Ali Khan and other officials from the Pakistani consulate.

The ambassador met with senior SpaceX executives, including the Vice President of Starlink Global Business Operations and the Director of Global Business Development. The two sides discussed how Starlink’s satellite-based infrastructure could help expand broadband connectivity in Pakistan’s remote and underdeveloped regions.

In a statement, Sheikh highlighted the importance of leveraging emerging technologies to support Pakistan’s digital transformation and said the government remains committed to international partnerships that promote innovation and economic growth.

According to Business Recorder, the visit is part of a broader diplomatic push to strengthen tech and commercial ties between Pakistan and the United States, particularly in California’s innovation hubs.

Despite growing interest and ongoing talks, Starlink has yet to launch operations in Pakistan. The country, which has one of the world’s largest freelance workforces, continues to face internet access issues in rural and underserved areas.

Last month, Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the licensing process for Starlink is nearing completion. She told a parliamentary committee that the service is expected to be available in Pakistan by November 2025, following equipment installation and final regulatory approvals.

Islamabad granted temporary registration to Starlink in March, a key step towards allowing the company to operate in the country’s satellite broadband market.

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