Islamabad, Pakistan – In January, as Pakistani citizens, they fought with poor Internet quality after the country began to publish a The national protection wall last yearSome of them put the Elon Musk brand on X, and urged him to provide services from Starlink, the Internet of satellite, the richest man in the world in 2019.

Musk replied by saying that Spacex, his company behind Starlink, was waiting for the approval of the Pakistani government.

This political waiting has shifted.

While countries around the world are wrestling with the geopolitical chaos launched by US President Donald Trump’s deals and threats in one month, Pakistan finds itself in the midst of its own struggle on how to manage the relationship with Musk, who was close to Trump’s ally, has the president’s ear.

Pakistan, a country of 241 million people, banned x (formerly Twitter) in February 2024 before the national elections.

The social media platform, which Musk bought for $ 44 billion in late 2022, was It was banned on requests From the Ministry of Interior, for not compliance with government directives to remove the content that the government considered a problem.

A year later, the use of the platform is still illegal in the country – although Pakistan, which is less than five million subscribers, was not a major market for the social media. China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Myanmar, Venezuela and Turkmenistan are the only countries that banned X.

Now, Starlink appears as a test of Pakistan’s relationship. In recent weeks, Musk, who has more than 219 million followers, has posted X Sexual assault on the child Cases in the United Kingdom, some of which were included in Pakistani men and have occurred more than a decade ago.

The issue of national interest?

In January, the Indian legislator Priyanka Chatorphdei intercepted the general use of the term “Asian” and confirmed that the UK gangs were led by “Pakistani” men, Musk answered with a tweet saying “Yes”, and it seems that it supports opinion.

This anger caused Pakistani legislators, who suggested that the issuance of an operating license to Starlink be conditional on the technology pole that apologizes for his observations about the country. The Pakistani legislator in Al -Washa Khan said that the legislators who discuss the request for a license for Starlink had put forward the suspension of gangs.

The big question: Should Pakistan adopt its decision regarding the considerations of business and national security, or should this be in its political proximity to Musk to Trump or billionaire comments?

As for Ahmedq Aner, legislator from the Pakistani Muslim Association (PML-N) and a member of the National Assembly of Information and Communications Technology Committee, the country’s decision should not even be treated-not to mention Trump.

“This is an issue of infrastructure for the Internet and the national interest,” he told Al -Jazeera Island. “Starlink can benefit from remote areas where the deployment of optical fiber cables is not possible. But any international company working in Pakistan must comply with the laws and regulations, with national security is the maximum priority.”

At the same time, I acknowledged that MUSK works and political affiliations complicate the decisions related to Starlink-a satellite service, if it is working in Pakistan, can allow users to overcome the country’s protection wall.

“Pakistan must protect its interests. We are aware of concerns about data security, privacy and encryption. Although modern technology is necessary for progress, laws must be supported in a message and a spirit.”

Is Pakistan “closed to work”?

Although Starlink has been registered in Pakistan since June 2021, it requires more license to become full operation.

A senior official of the Pakistani Communications Commission (PTA), a communications organizer in the country, explained the process of approving three steps.

First, they need registration with the Securities and Stock Exchange Committee in Pakistan [SECP]And that was completed Starlink. After that, they must obtain approval from the Organizational Council for Space Activities in Pakistan [PSARB]After that, they will approach us in PTA for the final clearance. ”The official said, requesting that his identity not be disclosed because he was not allowed to speak to the media.

He added: “Starlink is currently reviewing in a space organizational body.”

According to a statement from PSARB to the island, “Starlink has already registered with SECP, so PSARB started direct participation with the Spacex headquarters in the United States of America [Starlink’s parent company] When you approach Starlink Pakistan. “

The statement added: “The application was evaluated by PSARB, and deliberations between the two sides continued to be relentless.”

Spacex did not respond to the island’s intelligence regarding discussions.

But the PTA official, the agency that must finally register to start Starlink, called for caution.

“These satellites may cause overlap, as their frequencies can conflict with other satellites already in orbit. The official explained that the space regulator should ensure that the current satellites do not disrupt Pakistan.”

But Wahaj Us Siraj, CEO of Nayatel, a Pakistan Internet service provider, suggested that fears of Starlink were exaggerated.

“It will already provide an additional option for Pakistani Internet users, which is useful,” Siraj said to spend the island.

Pakistan has been subjected to many major online turmoil over the past year, as the government blamed errors in the submarine cables that link the country to the global Internet infrastructure.

In fact, at the global OKLA Speedtest index, Pakistan is classified among the world’s lowest level of internet speeds in the world. According to the latest classification, the country is placed in 96 out of 104 at the mobile internet speed, while in the category of fixed wide range, it is placed in 138 out of 152 countries.

“The organizational permission of Starlink should have been granted within 90 days at most. However, license and acquisition of non -exposure certificates [NOCs] It can take years, which inhibits both local and foreign companies. “

He added: “It is similar to telling investors to take their money elsewhere because Pakistan is closed to work.”

The Pakistani government was struggling to attract foreign investment as it wrestled with a long economic crisis. In 2023, the country avoided narrowly underdevelopment, and is currently in the twenty -fifth loan program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), at a value of $ 7 billion.

Impact on relations between the United States of Pakistani

Anwir, the PML-N politician, rejected the idea that Pakistan’s approach to Starlink will affect relations with the United States.

“The biggest picture is that the main forces intervene when they serve their interests. We have seen this during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and again after September 11 when the United States became involved in Pakistan.” “Economic issues are separate from national interests.”

Qandil Abbas, a professor of international relations at the Great University of Kowid in Islamabad, participated in a similar view.

“Musk does not hold an official government position that exceeds that he is a Trump advisor. Although he is important in trade relations, Pakistan should focus on state diplomacy to the state.”

Abbas argued that there was no guarantee that the musk would remain in the Trump inner circle, especially as the differences surrounding its role in the mountain of administration and some of his movements faced an increase in pressure.

“With this in mind, Pakistan must deal with musk strictly in terms of business, not political,” he said.