As internet users in Pakistan grapple with frustratingly slow connections, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is considering reaching out to Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, to help address the ongoing issue. The provincial authorities are also looking to connect with other experts to tackle the internet speed crisis that has critically impacted the region’s IT sector, according to Shafqat Ayaz, Special Assistant to the KP Chief Minister.
“There is an internet problem in KP, but the underlying reasons remain unclear,” Ayaz stated, emphasizing the need for a deeper investigation into the issue.
Pakistan has been facing chronic internet speed problems for some time, with the government attributing delays to faults in submarine cables. However, some reports suggest that authorities may be conducting experiments involving a “firewall,” complicating the situation further.
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This development follows Musk’s recent announcement that he is awaiting approval from the Pakistani government to launch Starlink, his satellite internet service, in the country. On his official X account, Musk said, “We are waiting for approval from the government,” during a discussion with Pakistani social media activist Sanam Jamali.
Jamali urged Musk to quicken the process of introducing Starlink in Pakistan, highlighting the potential benefits: “Millions await the connectivity, education, and opportunities Starlink could offer.”
Amid ongoing internet disruptions that affect millions, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Pakistan’s Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, mentioned last month that the government is in discussions with Starlink to bring its services to the country. “We are in talks with Starlink to bring them to Pakistan,” she stated during a Senate Standing Committee meeting on IT and Telecommunication.
