ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has granted temporary registration to Starlink, a satellite Internet service by SpaceX that promises high-speed connectivity, particularly in underserved areas, state media reported on Friday.
The move comes as the international company, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, applied to secure a full operating license in Pakistan, where demand for improved Internet access remains high.
Musk, who has drawn global attention for his proximity to US President Donald Trump and controversial political stances, has pushed to expand Starlink’s footprint globally despite regulatory hurdles in several countries.
“With the consensus of all security and regulatory bodies, Starlink has been issued a temporary No Objection Certificate (NOC),” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency said while quoting an official statement.
APP said the decision was described by Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja as part of the government’s initiative to enhance the country’s Internet infrastructure.
“Starlink’s registration is a major step forward in this journey,” she continued.
The IT minister said the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would oversee compliance with fee payments and other licensing requirements by the company.
“Modern solutions like satellite Internet will greatly enhance connectivity, particularly in underserved and remote areas of the country,” she added, calling the approval a milestone.
Khawaja highlighted the Pakistani administration adopted a “whole-of-government” approach, working in close collaboration with all relevant institutions to facilitate Starlink’s registration process.
She also acknowledged the respective roles played by cybercrime and security agencies, the PTA and the country’s space agency in this regard.
The minister expressed optimism that Starlink’s entry into Pakistan would formally launch satellite Internet services and bridge the digital divide.
Elon Musk’s Starlink gets temporary go-ahead to boost Internet access in Pakistan
https://arab.news/86qc5
Elon Musk’s Starlink gets temporary go-ahead to boost Internet access in Pakistan
- Country’s IT minister calls it a ‘milestone’ development that will enhance Pakistan’s Internet infrastructure
- Shaza Fatima Khawaja says the decision was taken with the consensus of all security and regulatory bodies
Pakistan launches ‘Zarkheze’ digital platform to provide loans, advisory services to farmers
- Pakistan’s agriculture sector accounted for 24 percent of GDP, employed over 37 percent of the nation’s labor force last year
- The Zarkheze initiative will not only provide financing but it will also improve productivity through quality inputs
KARACHI: Pakistan has launched ‘Zarkheze,’ a government-backed digital platform, to expand farmers’ access to agricultural financing and advisory services, allowing up to Rs1 million loans through a mobile app as part of efforts to boost productivity and formalize farm lending.
Pakistan’s agriculture sector accounted for 24 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and employed more than 37 percent of the nation’s labor force last year, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25.
The Zarkheze initiative aims to digitize agriculture finance enabling farmers to digitally apply and obtain financing through Zarkheze app. After necessary verifications and agronomic assessments, the application will be submitted to the bank of farmer’s choice for processing, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Seventy-five percent of the financing will be disbursed in kind for the purchase of agri-inputs through pre-approved agri-vendors of banks. Besides financing, farmers will also be provided with agri-advisory services through a Land Information Management System (LIMS).
“The Zarkheze product will thus not only provide financing but will also improve the farmers’ productivity through quality inputs and advisory services,” the SBP and and the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA) said in a joint statement.
“To incentivize the banks to aggressively provide financing to small farmers, the government has also provided 10 percent first loss coverage and an operational cost subsidy of Rs10,000 per borrower for the net increase in outstanding borrowers of banks.”
The Zarkheze application is available for download on Google Play Store, while farmers can visit their nearest bank branch for assistance with digital onboarding, according to the statement.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Zarkheze exemplifies their commitment to expanding financial inclusion.
“By facilitating access to formal credit for small farmers, this initiative supports the government’s broader objectives of rural development and national food security,” he said.
SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad called the launch of the digital platform a “pivotal step” in improving small farmers’ access to finance.
“By digitising the credit journey, we are removing friction for small farmers and ensuring that formal lending is accessible, timely, and helps farmers improve their productivity,” he said.
“Zarkheze will also support in achieving the broader goal of promoting and nurturing digital payments in rural economy.”
PBA Chairman Zafar Masud highlighted the banking sector’s collective role in supporting the initiative, stating the banking industry remains committed to the successful implementation of Zarkheze.
“We will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan to expand outreach and streamline processes for farmers across the country,” he said.
“By leveraging advanced technology and innovative credit assessment methods, we aim to improve access to finance for smallholder farmers, particularly landless operating within a largely undocumented sector.”
