Explanation

Elon Musk’s Starlink received approval to initiate its services in Pakistan in March 2025, marking a significant development in the country’s internet connectivity landscape. Satellite-based internet provider Starlink on Friday was granted a temporary No Objection Certificate (NOC) to operate in Pakistan, according to a statement from the IT ministry. Starlink Services, owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, is one of the most technologically advanced companies globally among those providing internet via Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Musk confirmed in January that Starlink applied to launch internet services in Pakistan but was “waiting for approval from the government”. A user on X — also owned by Musk — confirmed that Pakistan had “approved Starlink”. According to today’s statement, IT Minister Shaza Fatima said that Starlink was granted temporary registration on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.