Govt completes Pakistan’s first space regulatory framework draft, seeks stakeholder input

By TCN On Aug 7, 2025

The Government of Pakistan has reached a major milestone by drafting the country’s first-ever Space Regulatory Framework, which will govern all space-based services and operations nationwide. The Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB), under the National Command Authority, finalized the draft and distributed it among relevant stakeholders for review.

This comprehensive draft has been shared with entities like PTA, PEMRA, and various government bodies. These stakeholders are expected to provide critical feedback before the final version is submitted to the federal government for approval.

The new framework aims to regulate multiple space domains, including:

Satellite communication
Earth imaging and observation
Navigation and timing systems
Commercial and scientific space transportation

Designed in line with global regulatory standards, the framework includes:

A structured licensing regime for satellite and space services
Safety and risk management protocols
Orbital slot and frequency coordination
Cybersecurity safeguards and data protection rules
Transparency in commercial space operations
Compliance with international treaties and obligations

To develop this policy roadmap, PSARB partnered with Access Partnership, a global tech consultancy, on March 3, 2025. The consultancy is guiding Pakistan to ensure that the regulatory structure is investment-friendly and technologically future-proof.

This initiative comes on the heels of the National Space Policy approved in December 2023, followed by the enactment of Space Activities Rules in February 2024.

As per existing laws, all domestic and international satellite service providers must first obtain registration from PSARB before applying for operating licenses from PTA.

Interest from international players is growing. Starlink, which received a temporary NOC in March 2025, must now reapply under the upcoming framework. Others eyeing Pakistan’s satellite internet market include OneWeb (UK), SSST (China), and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.

Pakistan’s own PakSat High-Throughput Satellite (HTS)—developed by SUPARCO—is expected to play a major role in offering homegrown satellite connectivity solutions.