Starlink licence to be considered if Musk apologises: IT panel

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Maj-Gen (Retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman, briefed the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology regarding Starlink, stating that a license would be issued once the new space regulatory body is approved.

Starlink’s application for security clearance had been sent to the Ministry of IT, and the case is now with the new regulatory body. Committee members expressed concern over Elon Musk’s statements, pointing out that Musk has run a social media campaign against Pakistan.

They asked, “Can any company wishing to do business in Pakistan act in such a way?” The committee suggested that Elon Musk should apologise first, and then the license would be considered. The Standing Committee has requested a briefing from the Space Regulatory Authority officials in the next meeting regarding the Starlink matter.

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication received a briefing on Starlink’s launch in Pakistan, highlighting the necessity of obtaining required licenses from relevant departments for satellite service providers.

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan on Wednesday to deliberate on key issues, including the Personal Data Protection Bill, Starlink operations and the Telecom Foundation’s performance.

The committee discussed the Ministry’s comments on the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023. The Additional Secretary, Information Technology and Telecommunication, explained that the bill was approved by the cabinet in 2022 before being sent to the Law Ministry. A subsequent change in government delayed its progress.

A representative from the Law Ministry also added that no bill involving financial implications could be introduced without proper consideration. Senator Dr Afnan Ullah Khan, the bill’s mover, expressed dissatisfaction over the prolonged delays, emphasizing that consultations have taken too long and the bill should have been approved by now. He insisted the bill does not contravene the Constitution and called for clear communication from the Law Ministry about its stance on the Bill. Senator Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan also underscored the critical need for robust data protection measures. Following detailed deliberations, the committee agreed to call a point agenda session exclusively on the Personal Data Protection Bill along with representatives from the Law and Justice Division to further deliberate and finalise the matter. The committee was briefed on the launch of Starlink operations in Pakistan. It was reported that any satellite service provider must obtain necessary licenses from all concerned departments. The committee unanimously resolved to summon the already constituted regulatory body for a briefing in the next meeting. Senator Palwasha raised concerns about Elon Musk’s repeated claims regarding grooming gangs in the UK allegedly operated by Pakistanis, describing the narrative as targeted disinformation against Pakistan, further amplified with the collaboration of Indian entities. The committee also reviewed revenues generated and taxes paid by telecom companies over the last decade, comparing each company year by year. The ministry committed to presenting detailed data in the next meeting.

Additionally, the Telecom Foundation’s performance was discussed. It was told that it is a self-funded trust that currently runs 15 schools and provides health services. The trust’s gross revenue is expected to reach Rs one billion by the end of this year. The additional secretary of IT and Telecom informed the committee that the government would not be a part of the trust in the future and that it would work independently.