ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will be hiring a consultant to finalize regulations regarding satellite-based Internet services in the country, its information technology (IT) ministry said on Monday.
The statement came after State Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja chaired a meeting in Islamabad to review progress on licensing of Starlink Services, owned by US billionaire Elon Musk, and regulatory frameworks for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
Pakistan, a country of over 240 million, has witnessed up to 40 percent drop in Internet speeds in the last few months, according to the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP).
The drop came as the federal government last year moved to implement a nationwide firewall to block malicious content and protect government networks from cyberattacks, with IT associations saying the slowdowns have resulted in significant losses.
“During the meeting, it was decided that consultant hiring will be completed in a few weeks, for regulations,” the Pakistani IT ministry said.
“The minister emphasized the need for aligning Pakistan’s policies with global standards to unlock satellite technology’s full potential for national growth.”
Pakistan suffered a total of $1.62 billion losses due to Internet outages and social media shutdowns in 2024, according to a report by global Internet monitor Top10VPN.com, surpassing losses in war-torn countries like Sudan and Myanmar.
The report, released on Jan. 2, said Pakistan experienced 9,735 hours of Internet disruptions that affected 82.9 million users, with elections and protests cited as the primary causes.
The IT state minister last month confirmed that Pakistan was in talks with Musk’s Starlink to bring satellite Internet services to the country.
“Discussions [at Monday’s meeting] focused on expediting these processes to ensure a robust regulatory framework for LEO satellites, enhancing connectivity, and driving technological innovation,” the IT ministry added.
Pakistan also plans to enhance its Internet speeds and connectivity by linking up with the 2Africa submarine cable later this year, according to the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), which regulates Internet in the South Asian country.
2Africa, one of the world’s largest submarine cable systems, spans 45,000 kilometers and connects 46 locations across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, offering speeds of up to 180 Tbps.
Pakistan to hire consultant in few weeks for regulatory framework on satellite-based Internet
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Pakistan to hire consultant in few weeks for regulatory framework on satellite-based Internet
- Pakistan, a country of more than 240 million, has witnessed up to 40 percent drop in Internet speeds in the last few months
- The country is in talks with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite Internet provider, plans to link up with 2Africa submarine cable
Islamabad launches real-time fuel monitoring system as Iran war rattles oil markets
- Authorities say they will track petrol stocks at 145 stations through City Islamabad app
- Petrol stations in the city are required to upload daily stock data to prevent shortages
ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Pakistan’s capital have launched a digital system to monitor petroleum stocks at fuel stations in real time, and official statement said on Tuesday, as the government steps up oversight of supplies following market disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.
The system has been introduced by the Islamabad district administration days after authorities sealed seven petrol stations for refusing fuel to motorists. It will allow officials to track fuel inventories through the “City Islamabad” mobile application, requiring petrol pump operators to upload daily stock details as authorities seek to prevent hoarding and artificial shortages.
The initiative comes days after Pakistan raised fuel prices sharply and authorities across the country launched crackdowns on hoarding amid fears that escalating conflict in the Middle East could disrupt global energy shipments and push oil prices higher.
“Real-time monitoring will ensure that any shortage of petroleum products can be addressed immediately,” Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon said in the statement announcing the system.
The statement noted the new digital tool would enable authorities to track stock levels at 145 fuel stations across Islamabad and monitor transactions through the mobile platform.
Under the system, petrol pump owners must upload daily stock information, while the district administration has released a tutorial explaining how to use the feature.
Authorities warned that failure to upload stock data could result in action against fuel station owners.
Pakistan has tightened monitoring of fuel supplies in recent days after global oil markets were rattled by United States and Israeli strikes on Iran, which raised concerns about possible disruptions to shipping routes in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a key corridor for global energy trade.
The government has said it is closely watching domestic supply conditions and international oil markets while taking steps to ensure fuel availability and prevent panic buying.
