Is Starlink coming to Pakistan?

ISLAMABAD: Amid internet disruptions faced by millions of users across Pakistan, Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has said that the Pakistan is in contact with Starlink — billionaire Elon Musk's satellite-based internet company — to bring its services to the country.

"We are in talks with Starlink to bring them to Pakistan," Khawaja said during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee meeting on IT and Telecommunication on Thursday.

The minister also apprised the panel about plans to auction the 5G spectrum in April 2024, positioning it as a step towards modernising the nation's digital infrastructure.

However, she acknowledged significant challenges, including the absence of investment in the IT sector over the past three years, which has strained the country's ability to meet rising internet usage demands.

VPN

The meeting also addressed concerns over VPN usage. PTA Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman clarified that VPN licensing would begin on January 1, aiming to mitigate data security risks posed by unregulated services.

Whereas Senator Afanullah Khan pointed to technical hurdles, such as firewall management, contributing to the slow internet speeds. The IT ministry's secretary added that disruptions were also due to increased data consumption.

Meanwhile, Sajjad Syed, Chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), emphasised the vital role of reliable internet for the IT sector, which is growing at an annual rate of 30%.

He further called for urgent collaboration between the government and the private sector to address these concerns.

Internet slowdown not per any policy

During the meeting, the lawmakers expressed ire over the recent internet disruptions, along with slow speed, which have affected millions across the country resulting in difficulties in accessing various online platforms and sharing and downloading media, voice notes etc.

These internet issues are particularly alarming for those working from home, freelancers, digital marketers, and students attending online classes, all of whom depend on reliable internet access.

Touching upon the issue, the P@SHA chairman apprised the committee that 99% of the IT companies had complained of internet disruptions.

Speaking on the occasion, the PTA chairman categorically ruled out the existence of a policy regarding slowing down the internet speed.

"There is no policy to slow down the internet," said Major (retd) Rehman while ruling out the role of VPN in reduced internet speed.

The government should be asked regarding such policy if it exists, he remarked.

Meanwhile, IT Minister Khawaja, while blaming technical reasons" for slowed internet, maintained that the government had to regulate fake news.

"We would restrict the internet [services] with a heavy heart if we have to do so due to security reasons," said the minister, adding: "The internet is working perfectly fine today".

She further apprised the committee that she had spoken to the PTA chairman a couple of days ago directing him to identify the internet issues and their locations.

In response to Senator Afnan Ullah's statement that the spectrum issue was not behind the slow internet speed, Khawaja said: "You all have phones in your hands, tell me which app is not working right now".