Starlink licence in Pakistan delayed over data security concerns and geopolitical sensitivities

Pakistan stalls Starlink approval citing data security risks and regulatory hurdles

• Starlink approval in Pakistan delayed due to data security and geopolitical concerns
• Officials fear Starlink might evade Pakistan's monitoring and regulations.
• Five firms, including Starlink and Chinese rivals, seek satellite internet licenses.

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Approval for SpaceX-owned Starlink to enter Pakistan’s satellite internet market has been delayed amid concerns over data security, geopolitical sensitivities involving the United States, and growing competition from Chinese firms, local media reported on Sunday.

Starlink is among five companies seeking licences to provide satellite-based internet services in Pakistan, but officials say unresolved security issues have slowed the clearance process. According to sources cited by The Express Tribune, authorities fear Starlink’s technology could allow certain data transmissions to bypass Pakistan’s existing monitoring, regulatory and safety frameworks.

“We cannot allow a licence to Starlink without ensuring a safety check to ensure the safety of the data of consumers in Pakistan,” a senior government official told The Express Tribune.

Officials said internal assessments flagged scenarios in which Starlink could potentially pick up sensitive data while providing internet services. “But the real reason is that the government has tested some cases in which Starlink was supposed to pick up some sensitive data while providing satellite-based internet services,” sources said.

Beyond security concerns, officials are also factoring in broader geopolitical considerations, including the fallout between US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. With Pakistan’s ties with Washington improving since Trump’s return to office, authorities are cautious about any move that could draw scrutiny from the US administration.

At present, Pakistan maintains significant control over internet traffic through Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), which holds a majority stake in the country’s undersea cable infrastructure. Officials fear similar oversight may not be possible with satellite-based services, raising concerns about regulatory gaps and potential data theft.

Satellite internet is expected to primarily serve remote and underserved regions such as Balochistan, where conventional connectivity remains limited. While authorities currently have the ability to monitor and suspend internet services for security reasons, officials worry that blocking satellite-based networks could prove far more difficult.

The Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) has confirmed that five companies, including Starlink and China-based Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology Limited (SSST), have expressed interest in operating in Pakistan’s satellite internet market. Chinese firms already have a strong presence in the country’s telecom sector and are seen as direct competitors to US-based providers.

PSARB officials said consultations with stakeholders have been completed, but additional time is needed to put safety mechanisms in place before finalising the licensing framework and allowing satellite-based internet services to begin operations.