Government in Negotiations with Starlink to Offer Internet Service in Pakistan: IT Minister

On Thursday, Minister of State for IT and Telecom, Shazia Fatima, informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT & Telecom that the government is negotiating with Starlink to enhance internet accessibility for Pakistani citizens.

She briefed on the present status of internet services, monitoring efforts, and challenges faced with digital connectivity. Fatima conceded that Pakistan's internet infrastructure was in a pretty poor state; even the best services available didn't live up to expectations.

In response to criticism about frequent internet outages, she questioned how the country could achieve billions of dollars in IT exports if the internet were entirely shut down. She emphasized the government's responsibility to ensure necessary monitoring but clarified that excessive surveillance would not be tolerated.

The minister also rejected claims made by the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) regarding financial losses due to internet disruptions, labeling their $8 billion loss estimate as inaccurate. She urged critics to avoid spreading misinformation.

Tensions rose during the discussion as committee members expressed their frustrations. One suggested organizing a joint press conference with industry representatives to present a unified message, while another pointed out the difficulties faced by freelancers during internet shutdowns.

Committee Chairman, Syed Aminul Haq, stressed the importance of consistent internet service. He emphasized that internet access should never be cut off and that a permanent solution should be implemented as soon as possible.