Satellite internet nears Pakistan as negotiations with Starlink enter final stages: IT Minister

December 16, 2023 (MLN): Satellite internet will soon be available to the public in Pakistan as negotiations with Starlink have entered the final stages, the Caretaker IT Minister, Dr. Umar Saif made this disclosure today in a video statement discussing the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in economic growth.

Dr. Umar Saif said the SIFC Forum has a key role to play in the preparation of the country's first space policy and its approval from the relevant forums.

He further highlighted that in order to pave the way for digital transformation and foreign direct investment in Pakistan, important decisions are being taken in the interest of the country and the nation through the SIFC forum in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which will directly benefit to the masses.

These initiatives will result in the speedy development & stability of the country's economy.

He further said that all stakeholders including the military and political leadership are present in the SIFC forum, which makes decision-making very easy.

“We are confident that with the presence of the SIFC, the up-coming government will also be able to make timely decisions for the country's development and public interests, because it is important that we do not compromise on our economic stability and public interests,” he added.

During the video message, he further urged the need to avoid departmental obstacles, instead of unnecessary delay tactics, quick and effective decisions have to be taken in the interest of the country and the nation, for this purpose SIFC is the most effective forum.

He said that since 2014, the case of hundreds of MHz of spectrum with Sun TV was pending.

The matter was raised at the SIFC forum, and all the required legal requirements were met, after which the Honorable High Court of Sindh heard the case daily and the verdict of the case was pronounced on Thursday.

It is good news for the people that now this spectrum will be in government custody, which is worth multi million dollars as per the current market rate of the spectrum.

Dr. Umar Saif further said that from the establishment of the Advisory Committee for spectrum auction to the necessary steps to lay the network of optical fiber cables across the country and the effective implementation of the Right of Way Policy, the council has removed all departmental hurdles and all decisions in the interest of the country.

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