Starlink applied for a license on February 24, 2022, and is currently in communication with the new regulatory body, according to a briefing given to the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT, which was chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, the PTA Chairman.

Starlink needs to register with both the PSB and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) before to starting its satellite services in Pakistan. According to the PTA Chairman, the body will proceed with further actions after the registration procedure is over.

Along with Starlink, Shanghai Space Technology is also making its debut in Pakistan, which should boost internet access and spur technical advancement in the nation.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also made it plain that until it has government approval, it is unable to grant a license to Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink.

The chairman stated that Starlink has promised to adhere to government regulations and not circumvent the system.

The committee also chose to call a meeting of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) to take up the topic of space technology regulation. Additionally, the committee asked why the PTA is assigning its duties to other groups.

Prior to the launch of Starlink in Pakistan, Elon Musk, the CEO of SPACEX, stated that he was seeking permission from the Pakistani government.

According to information, Pakistani social media user Sanam Jamali and Elon Musk had a discussion on the launch of Starlink in Pakistan on the social media site X (previously Twitter).

Sanam asked Musk to launch Starlink in Pakistan, claiming that it might open the door to a better future by giving people access to the internet and chances to advance.

In response, Musk said that he is awaiting Pakistani official approval to introduce Starlink there. Through a massive network of satellites, SpaceX’s Starlink offers internet services.

Starlink

SpaceX, a private aircraft manufacturer and space transport services provider established by Elon Musk, is the developer of the Starlink satellite internet network. The constellation uses a network of thousands of tiny satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) to deliver fast, dependable, and worldwide internet connectivity.

The way we access the internet could be completely changed by this cutting-edge technology, particularly in isolated and underdeveloped locations where conventional fiber-optic and cellular networks are scarce or nonexistent.

High-speed internet access with latency as low as 20 ms is what the Starlink constellation is intended to provide; this is on par with or even better than many current fiber-optic networks.

Every Starlink satellite includes a phased array antenna, which enables it to connect with numerous users at once, offering a flexible and high-capacity network. Fast and dependable internet connection is available to users from almost anywhere in the world with Starlink, which is an exciting advancement for digital inclusion and global connectedness.

Official guides, or nazmeen, will be assigned to help pilgrims on their journey under this new arrangement, according to reports.

There will be 600 nazeem in all, with one nazim for every 150 pilgrims. These guides will accompany the pilgrims from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia and back, ensuring their safe passage and providing guidance on performing Hajj rituals, sources said.

Along with helping pilgrims stay in Saudi Arabia, the nazmeen will also offer assistance during the Hajj ceremonies. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has emphasized that the nazeem’s assistance will enable pilgrims to perform their Hajj duties more efficiently.

The flight schedule will be revealed, and pilgrims will be notified of their assigned nazmeen.

Regarding services and support for pilgrims performing the Hajj in 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has already declared that no carelessness would be accepted.

During a meeting to discuss Hajj 2025 preparations, PM Shehbaz gave instructions to make sure the Hujjaj had all the facilities and support they needed for the forthcoming Hajj.

“Pilgrims are the guests of Allah Almighty, therefore no negligence will be accepted in terms of services and assistance for them,” he said.

In the upcoming days, PM Shehbaz has instructed that a thorough briefing on Hajj 2025 preparations be prepared and presented to him.

He also gave instructions to give a thorough briefing on the requirements for choosing Moavineen Hajj (Hajj aides), their duties, and other arrangements.

At the NADRA mega centers in Sandah, Peco Road, and Shimla Pahari, three new passport offices have been built in Lahore. These offices are located in the city.

People who are now able to take advantage of simplified services have expressed their satisfaction with this initiative, which was carried out under the direction of the chairman of the NADRA and the director general of passports.

In the past, there were five passport offices in operation in Lahore. These offices were located in Shahdara, Quaid-e-Azam Interchange, Raiwind, and Garden Town for example. With the addition of the three additional offices, the total number has climbed to eight. This has resulted in a major reduction in the workload that is placed on the facilities that are already in place, as well as better accessibility for those those who are applying for passports.

Offices at Sandah and Peco Road are open until 10 o’clock at night, whereas the Shimla Pahari office is open around the clock around the clock.
Services that are integrated: These facilities now provide services for both identity cards and passports under one roof by offering integrated services.
Residents have voiced their contentment, underscoring the convenience of being able to access a variety of services from a single location. “This is a great initiative; it saves time and makes the process more efficient,” according to a particular candidate.

In order to meet the ever-increasing demand for passport services in the city, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi gave the edict that these new facilities should be established.

You may also be interested in reading: the fast-track passport facility expansion to 26 other cities

The Directorate of Immigration and Passports, in the meantime, made an announcement regarding the expansion of its expedited passport service to a total of forty-seven cities across Pakistan, bringing the overall number of cities to forty-six. Additionally, a notification pertaining to this matter has been distributed.

It was previously only available in big cities such as Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta; however, in order to improve the convenience of the general population, the fast track service will now be made available in a number of other places.

Individuals who live in Attock, Chakwal, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mianwali, and Bhakkar are now able to take advantage of this service for accelerated passport issue, as stated in the announcement.

Additionally, the expansion encompasses the districts of Kohat, Swabi, Swat, DI Khan, Bannu, Hangu, Abbottabad, and Haripur in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A number of important cities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), such as Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Bagh, Kotli, and Rawalakot, have also been made available to customers with the service.