A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was convened at the Parliament House under the leadership of Chairperson Palusha Khan. The session focused on the potential operations of Elon Musk’s company, Starlink, in Pakistan. Key topics of discussion included the Starlink application, Elon Musk’s recent remarks, and government policies surrounding the issue.
Concerns Over Alleged Anti-Pakistan Statements
Chairperson Palusha Khan expressed serious reservations about Elon Musk’s recent statements, which were perceived as anti-Pakistan. Addressing the matter, she stated that Musk’s actions seemed contrary to Pakistan’s national interests, making it inappropriate to consider granting Starlink a license at this stage.
Senator Afnanullah took an even stricter stance, demanding an apology from Elon Musk before deliberating on Starlink’s licensing. Drawing parallels with the British government’s rejection of similar allegations, he emphasized the need for thorough investigations before allowing Starlink to operate within the country.
Progress on Pakistan’s National Space Policy
The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the committee on Pakistan’s space policy developments. He highlighted that a National Space Policy was formally adopted in 2023, leading to the establishment of a Space Regulatory Authority.
Starlink, the Chairman revealed, had applied for a PTA license in February 2022. However, the application is currently under review for security clearance by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of IT. The matter is awaiting the approval of the Space Regulatory Authority, which is a prerequisite for PTA to issue a license.
Starlink’s Assurances to Comply with Government Regulations
During the meeting, it was disclosed that Starlink had assured compliance with Pakistan’s government rules. The company committed to routing all traffic through official gateways and promised to shut down services upon government directives. The PTA Chairman clarified that Starlink’s license could not be issued until all necessary government clearances were completed.
The committee also decided to summon officials from the Space Regulatory Authority in its next meeting for a comprehensive briefing on the matter.
Criticism of the IT Ministry’s Performance
Committee member Anusha Rehman voiced strong criticism of the IT Ministry, accusing it of delegating key responsibilities, such as the enforcement of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), to the Ministry of Interior. She also pointed out that the Ministry’s creation of separate regulatory bodies for various issues reflected poor performance and inefficiency.
Senator Afnanullah raised concerns regarding private member bills, claiming that his proposals were being neglected by the IT Ministry. He criticized the Ministry for citing the government’s new legislation policy as an excuse to delay addressing these bills.
Progress on the Data Protection Bill
Ministry officials informed the committee that consultations on the Data Protection Bill were ongoing, with suggestions from relevant stakeholders being incorporated. To ensure transparency and public participation, the committee resolved to hold a public hearing to gather feedback on the proposed legislation.
This meeting underscored the importance of balancing national security concerns with fostering technological advancements and highlighted the challenges faced by Pakistan in regulating emerging technologies.
