Elon Musk, the founder of Starlink, a satellite internet, recently created social media noise and it took a political turn. The National Assembly Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, under Senator Palwasha Khan, was called upon to discuss Starlink’s licensing. Some people raised objections against the fact that Musk endorsed an anti-Pakistan narrative.
Starlink Registration
Starlink made a filing for registration in Pakistan on February 24, 2022. However, the process has been delayed because of security clearances required by the Ministry of Interior as well as the newly formed Pakistan Authority for Space and Regulatory Bodies (PASRB). As negotiations continue to take place, PASRB will make the final call.
During the meeting, the PTA chairman updated attendees on Starlink’s status, but the focus shifted to Musk’s recent social media behaviour. Musk publicly supported Indian MP Priyanka Chaturvedi’s controversial claim that Pakistan was responsible for issues surrounding grooming gangs in the UK. Calling her remarks “true,” Musk’s alignment with this narrative has fuelled backlash in Pakistan.
Calls for Musk’s Apology
He alleged that Musk has “partnered with India in propounding false allegations against Pakistan,” further stating that these actions could reflect on the future operations of Starlink in Pakistan. Senator Afnan Ullah Khan took it even further by advising the government to accept the license application of Starlink only if a public apology comes forth from Musk.
“The PTA must consider Musk’s campaign against Pakistan before issuing a license. He should apologize for his statements before any further steps are taken,” Afnan argued.
The Broader Context
This controversy erupts in a backdrop of intense debates concerning grooming gangs within the UK-which has seen much international news. Musk’s statements were an aspect of wider contention between Indian MP Chaturvedi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who carefully steered the argument away from attributing ethnicity. Chaturvedi claimed Pakistan was a “rogue nation,” something which Musk voiced with full support.
What’s the future for Starlink in Pakistan?
Although Pakistan’s IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja earlier announced that the service of Starlink has been registered in the country. This new controversy casts a shadow over its operation. PTA and PASRB now must balance technological advancements with national feelings.
Read More: Elon Musk Awaits Govt Approval to Launch Starlink in Pakistan
The future of Starlink in Pakistan depends on how Musk will respond to these criticisms amid increasing public and governmental pressure. Whether he will apologise or not is still a mystery. But this incident really brings out the intersection of global business decisions and geopolitics.
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