Shaza Fatima says Starlink launch on track for December
Listen to article
Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja has dismissed speculation over licencing delays for Starlink, stating that the satellite internet provider is on track to launch in Pakistan by December 2025.
Speaking informally to reporters on Friday, the minister said that a consultant has been appointed by the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (SUPARCO) to draft regulatory frameworks for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, with the rulebook expected to be finalised by June.
'There is no delay in Starlink's licensing. The process is ongoing and structured,' she said, noting that Starlink has remained in contact with Pakistani authorities and is expected to spend the next five to six months building infrastructure ahead of its operational debut.
Shaza also revealed that Chinese satellite internet firms, including Galaxy Space and Shanghai Space, have expressed interest in entering the Pakistani market. However, she clarified that no formal applications have yet been submitted.
'Our space policy is open and non-exclusive,' she added. 'We will facilitate any company that meets the criteria and comes forward.'
Addressing the broader telecom sector, the minister acknowledged financial challenges, citing an average revenue per user (ARPU) of Rs270, the lowest in the region. She attributed the strain to currency fluctuations and rising electricity prices.
The minister noted that the upcoming spectrum auction could help improve telecom services and confirmed that companies had submitted budget proposals for the next fiscal year, which are being reviewed in coordination with the Ministry of Finance.
On the ongoing shutdown of social media platform X in Pakistan, Shaza rejected public claims that the move curtails freedom of expression.
'X has not engaged with the IT Ministry since the ban,' she stated, suggesting that any communication has likely occurred only with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
'X is not in compliance with Pakistani laws,' she added, while noting that other platforms remain in contact and respond to government requests.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
How PAF shot down Indian jets with J-10
Rafale fighter jet taxis on the tarmac during its induction ceremony at an air force station in Ambala, India, September 10, 2020. Photo REUTERS Listen to article Just after midnight on May 7, the screen in the Pakistan Air Force's operations room lit up in red with the positions of dozens of active enemy planes across the border in India. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Sidhu had been sleeping on a mattress just off that room for days in anticipation of an Indian assault. New Delhi had blamed Islamabad for backing terrorists who carried out an attack the previous month in IIOJK, which killed 26 civilians. Despite Islamabad denying any involvement, India had vowed a response, which came in the early hours of May 7 with air strikes on Pakistan. Sidhu ordered Pakistan's prized Chinese-made J-10C jets to scramble. A senior Pakistani Air Force (PAF) official, who was present in the operations room, said Sidhu instructed his staff to target Rafales, a French-made fighter that is the jewel of India's fleet and had never been downed in battle. "He wanted Rafales," said the official. The hour-long fight, which took place in darkness, involved some 110 aircraft, experts estimate, making it the world's largest air battle in decades. The J-10s shot down at least one Rafale, Reuters reported in May, citing US officials. However, Pakistan downed at least 6 jet aircraft in the war. Its downing surprised many in the military community and raised questions about the effectiveness of Western military hardware against untested Chinese alternatives. But Reuters interviews with two Indian officials and three of their Pakistani counterparts found that the performance of the Rafale wasn't the key problem: Central to its downing was an Indian intelligence failure concerning the range of the China-made PL-15 missile fired by the J-10 fighter. China and Pakistan are the only countries to operate both J-10s, known as Vigorous Dragons, and PL-15s. The faulty intelligence gave the Rafale pilots a false sense of confidence they were out of Pakistani firing distance, which they believed was only around 150km, the Indian officials said, referring to the widely cited range of PL-15's export variant. "We ambushed them," the PAF official said, adding that Islamabad conducted an electronic warfare assault on Delhi's systems in an attempt to confuse Indian pilots. Indian officials dispute the effectiveness of those efforts. "The Indians were not expecting to be shot at," said Justin Bronk, air warfare expert at London's Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think-tank. "And the PL-15 is clearly very capable at long range." The PL-15 that hit the Rafale was fired from around 200km (124.27 mi) away, according to Pakistani officials, and even farther according to Indian officials. That would make it among the longest-range air-to-air strikes recorded. India's defense and foreign ministries did not return requests for comment about the intelligence mistakes. Delhi hasn't acknowledged a Rafale being shot down, but France's air chief told reporters in June that he had seen evidence of the loss of that fighter and two other aircraft flown by India, including a Russian-made Sukhoi. A top Dassault executive also told French lawmakers that month that India had lost a Rafale in operations, though he didn't have specific details. Pakistan's military referred to past comments by a spokesperson who said that its professional preparedness and resolve was more important than the weaponry it had deployed. China's defense ministry did not respond to Reuters' questions. Dassault and UAC, the manufacturer of the Sukhoi, also did not return requests for comment.
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan pushes for ceasefire to end Ukrainian conflict
Pakistani Ambassador to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar Ahmad speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the Israel-Iran conflict at the UN headquarters in New York on June 20, 2025. Photo: AFP Listen to article Amid intensified aerial strikes on Ukrainian cities, Pakistan has underscored in the UN Security Council the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts and a comprehensive ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. "We firmly believe that military means cannot resolve this conflict," Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the 15-member body on Thursday. "The only viable path towards sustainable peace is that of dialogue and diplomacy," he said during a meeting called by Russia to discuss "the prospects of a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian conflict". It was the last meeting Ambassador Asim Iftikhar presided during Pakistan's presidency of the UN Security Council which ended on July 31. Thursday's meeting was met with scrutiny by a number of Council members, who stressed that it does not represent a genuine step towards renewed diplomacy, but rather serves as a distraction from Moscow's continued violations of international law. But Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy said while many in the West — who have been arming Kyiv to the teeth — are putting on "the sheep's clothing of diplomacy," they do not seem to want to close this "very dangerous chapter" of international peace and security. Moscow has never denied the potential of diplomacy, he asserted, recalling the coup in Kyiv in 2014 and its aftermath. Yet, its appeals to find mutually acceptable ways of resolving the European crisis were ignored, leaving no choice but to initiate the special military operation in February 2022. The United States Representative, John Kelley, recalled the 14 July announcement by President Donald Trump that his country will sell its defensive weapons to NATO allies, "who can then send them on". "Our support for Ukraine's defence cannot be compared to the supply of arms and materials to Russia," which enables the aggressor to continue its full-scale invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory, the US representative said, citing the support given by North Korea, Iran and China. Russia and Ukraine must negotiate a ceasefire and a durable peace. "It is time to make a deal," he urged, declaring that "this must be done by 8 August". Washington is prepared to implement additional measures to secure peace, Kelley added. In his remarks, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan stood for de-escalation and immediate cessation of hostilities and a comprehensive ceasefire in the Ukrainian conflict. Pakistan, he said, also advocates holding of meaningful negotiations that address mutual security concerns, within the framework of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter; and adopting a path of inclusive and constructive diplomacy, involving key regional and international stakeholders to promote trust and build confidence to pave the way for a just and lasting peace. In conclusion, he added, "Pakistan reiterates its firm support for a peaceful resolution of this conflict and stands ever ready to support all efforts towards that end."
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Red carpet rolled out for Iran's president
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif walks alongside Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and his entourage upon their arrival in Islamabad. Photo: APP Listen to article Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday arrived on a two-day state visit to hold bilateral talks with the Pakistani leadership. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar received the Iranian President and his delegation at the Nur Khan airbase. Dr Pezeshkian is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, senior ministers and other high-ranking officials. Dr Pezeshkian will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and also hold delegation-level talks with Pakistani Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers. A 21-gun salute was accorded in honour of President Dr Pezeshkian on his arrival, and two children dressed in traditional attire, presented bouquets to him. The Foreign Office in a statement said, "This marks Dr Pezeshkian's first official visit to Pakistan as President of Iran." It may be recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last visited Iran on May 26, 2025. The visit is expected to further strengthen the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran. Upon his arrival in Lahore earlier, Dr Pezeshkian was given a warm welcome by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif. His visit was marked by high-level meeting and a visit to the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal. Defence ministers The Honourable Minister for Defence of the Islamic Republic of Iran Brig General Aziz Nasir-Zadeh held a bilateral meeting with the Honourable Minister of Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif in Islamabad. During the meeting, both sides discussed matters of mutual interest, including regional security, counter-terrorism efforts, and avenues to enhance defence cooperation between the two neighbouring countries. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral ties and promote peace and stability in the region. The Defence Minister of Pakistan expressed appreciation for Iran's continued engagement and emphasized the importance of defence diplomacy in addressing shared security challenges. The Iranian Defence Minister thanked the Government of Pakistan for the warm welcome and reiterated Iran's desire to build stronger defence ties based on mutual respect, shared values, and trust. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both leaders expressing optimism about the future of Pakistan-Iran defence relations and pledging to continue working together for the prosperity and security of the region.
