Here's when Elon Musk's Starlink is coming to Pakistan

Pakistan is working to bring Elon Musk's Starlink internet service to improve connectivity in the country, Minister of State for Information Technology (IT) Shaza Fatima has said at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom in Islamabad. 

"We are making efforts to bring Elon Musk's satellite company Starlink to Pakistan," Shaza Fatima confirmed. 

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Palwasha Khan, said, "The Ministry of IT puts the responsibility on the Ministry of Interior for whatever step it takes. I don't understand why we have an IT Ministry."

Shaza Fatima, while briefing the Standing Committee, said, "Amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) laws are under consideration. We have to regulate fake news; there are also technical reasons for the slow internet, internet usage has increased, we have not invested in IT in three years, and the 5G spectrum auction will be held in April."

Chairman of the Pakistan Software House Association (PASHA) Syed Sajjad told the committee, "The IT industry is growing at a rate of 30 per cent; internet service can be shut down in case of a threat to national security. All countries that monitor VPNs have suggested the government register VPNs locally because free VPNs pose data security risks."

Chairman PTA told the committee, "We will start licensing VPNs from January 1; licensing VPNs will solve the problem. The internet is not slow because of VPNs, while committee members expressed concern over the overall slowness of the internet.

Senator Anusha Rehman said, "In 2018, we registered VPNs, but there was no problem with the internet. We also whitelisted and took steps to stop grey traffic, but the internet was not affected."

Senator Palwasha Khan asked why internet has slowed down in Pakistan.  The Chairman of the PTA said, "There is no policy regarding the reduction of internet speed. If there is any policy on internet speed, then the government should be asked."

The Chairman of the Committee said, "Someone should tell the committee the reason for reducing internet speed so that people's problems can be solved". Senator Humayun Mohmand said, "No one will tell this; the real reason is to stop PTI, the government is only taking this action against PTI."

Senator Afnanullah asked which terrorists had used a VPN. The Minister of State said, "I cannot discuss security matters here; if I have to shut down the internet for any security reasons, I will do it with a heavy heart; today, the internet is working perfectly."

As of December 2024, Starlink, operated by SpaceX, provides satellite internet services in over 80 countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and most of Europe. Recent expansions have extended coverage to nations such as Indonesia, Zimbabwe, and Chad.