The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has decided to withhold the issuance of an operational license to Starlink for the time being, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The decision follows input from the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB), which clarified that Starlink currently holds only temporary registration status and must meet all regulatory requirements to obtain a permanent license.
Starlink initially received temporary registration from PSARB on March 21. However, officials now confirm that a full PTA license will only be granted once Starlink completes the necessary steps for permanent registration.
A spokesperson for Starlink acknowledged the pending approval, stating the company is awaiting final clearance from Pakistani authorities. They added that only the PTA and relevant government bodies can fully explain the delays in the licensing process.
Earlier, IT Minister Shaza Fatima informed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology that Starlink’s services could begin by November or December 2025, alongside other entrants like China’s Shanghai Space.
