The announcement by Parliamentary Secretary Sabeen Ghaurim that tech entrepreneur Elon Musk’s Starlink and a number of Chinese enterprises are anticipated to obtain operating certification within six months is a major step forward for Pakistan’s digital landscape. The announcement was made at a meeting of the National Assembly’s IT and Telecommunication Standing Committee.
Important Advancements and Issues with Starlink
The committee discussion highlighted several critical points:
- Concerns regarding delays in approving Starlink’s satellite internet service were voiced by barrister Gohar Ali Khan.
- Aminul Haq, the committee chairman, emphasized the importance of accelerating Starlink’s service rollout.
- Members were disappointed by the sluggish pace of digitization, especially with reference to IT parks.
- During the current fiscal year, a Rs6 billion allocation for the Karachi IT park is still underutilized.
- There have been delays in the creation of AI policies and the Personal Data protection Bill.
Revenue from Telecoms and Financial Allocations
Significant funds and revenue were created by the IT ministry:
- A budget of Rs24 billion has been allocated to the IT ministry’s Public Sector Development Programme.
- Telecom companies paid Rs1,700 billion in taxes during the preceding six years.
- Unpaid debts totaling Rs78 billion from long-distance and international license firms are still pending recovery.
Broad Infrastructure and Starlink in Rural Connectivity
Chairman Amin outlined several priority areas for improvement:
The committee underlined the need for improved internet services in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. To expand services to remote areas, the Universal Service Fund (USF), which gets 1.5% of telecom companies’ revenue, needs more government funding.
Upcoming Projects and Suggestions to Help Starlink
The committee proposed several key actions:
- The fiberization policy is finished.
- A telecom tribunal’s establishment.
- Obtaining additional government funding for USF.
- Speeding up the provision of broadband services in isolated locations.
- Enhancing IT exports by fortifying the digital infrastructure.
PTA Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman pointed out that network infrastructure upgrades have been insufficient even if telecom businesses have made substantial tax contributions. The committee underlined how important these projects are to Pakistan’s aspirations for technological advancement and its assimilation into the global digital economy.
The introduction of Starlink and its improved internet offerings are regarded as revolutionary moves that would improve Pakistan’s digital environment.