STARLINK IN PAKISTAN: DIGITAL INCLUSION AND NATIONAL SECURITY IMPLICATIONS
Abstract
In Pakistan, Starlink has been granted provisional registration and a temporary NOC, but the licensing process is ongoing key approvals related to full regulatory licensing, security clearance, and spectrum management are still being finalized before services can fully launch Pakistan faces digital divide by unequal internet access between urban and rural areas. While major cities benefit from some stable connectivity and have limiting access to education, healthcare, e-governance, and economic opportunities in rural areas. Satellite-based Low Earth Orbit (LEO) internet service ,Starlink is increasingly promoted as a solution to these gaps due to its ability to deliver high-speed connectivity to remote areas. Alongside their potential benefits,systems raise serious concerns related to national security, data sovereignty, and regulatory control .This is the broader dilemmato pursue digital inclusion without compromising strategic oversight. raises serious national security concerns for Pakistan. This situation places policymakers in a difficult position, where delaying approval may slow digital development, but rapid adoption without safeguards could expose the country to long-term security risks. In existing debates of Starlink has payed limited attention to affordability, unequal access outcomes, and the risks associated with foreign-controlled digital infrastructure and national security. Using a qualitative research approach, this study analyzes policy documents, regulatory frameworks, scholarly literature, media reports to assess the impacts of Starlink on digital inclusion and national security in Pakistan. The findings says about satellite-based internet may improve connectivity in underserved regions, its benefits are likely to remain concentrated among economically privileged users . Reliance on externally operated satellite networks may weaken domestic regulatory authority raise cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the absence of robust governance mechanisms. This research contributes a context-specific analysis of Pakistan’s digital policy dilemma sensetivity of the topic offering insights for policymakers on how digital inclusion initiatives can be pursued ensuring the technological advancement aligns with national security and sovereignty priorities.
- Digital Inclusion
- National Security
- Starlink
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites
- Pakistan
- Data Sovereignty
- Tech Diplomacy
- Satellite Internet Governance
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18108637
