Elon Musk confirmed that Starlink has applied to launch internet services in Pakistan and is awaiting governmental approval. A user on X highlighted the transformative potential of Starlink for Pakistan, particularly in light of the country’s recent internet outage challenges. Reports reveal that Pakistan incurred substantial financial losses due to these disruptions in 2024.
Elon Musk, the renowned tech entrepreneur, announced on Saturday that Starlink has submitted an application to offer internet services in Pakistan, and is currently awaiting governmental approval. Responding to a message on X from a Pakistani user, who highlighted the potential of Starlink to elevate connectivity in the nation, Musk acknowledged the application’s progress. The user expressed a desire for Starlink to become a significant link to digital advancement for Pakistan’s citizens.
In a follow-up message, the user asserted that the Pakistani government has approved Starlink, emphasizing the urgent need for its services to provide connectivity, education, and opportunities. The urgency of this development coincides with a troubling trend of internet outages in Pakistan, which led the country to suffer significant financial losses in the previous year. According to Top10VPN.com, Pakistan incurred approximately $1.62 billion in losses resulting from extensive global internet disruptions in 2024, the highest among all affected nations.
Starlink is a satellite-based internet service developed by SpaceX, aiming to provide global broadband coverage, particularly in underserved regions. The introduction of Starlink in Pakistan is timely given the country’s recurrent issues with internet reliability, notably highlighted by recent reports from Top10VPN.com. These reports indicated that Pakistan experienced the most severe internet outages last year, substantially impacting its economy during a period when the need for digital connectivity is paramount for social and educational development.
In summary, Elon Musk’s indication of Starlink’s application to operate in Pakistan reflects a significant step toward enhancing the country’s internet access. With the potential to mitigate the widespread internet outages that have hindered Pakistan’s digital growth, the timely launch of Starlink could usher in a new era of connectivity. As the nation awaits official approval, the anticipation for transformative internet services remains high among its citizens.
Original Source: www.dawn.com