In a significant development, the first-ever National Space Policy (NSP) is nearing final approval in Pakistan, aiming to regulate the satellite industry in the country, according to reliable sources. The policy outlines the establishment of a National Space Agency and mandates satellite service providers to register and obtain a non-objection certificate (NOC) for offering services within the country.
Expected to receive approval from the caretaker federal government soon, the NSP has garnered consensus among all stakeholders. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, in collaboration with the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), formulated the draft policy, which was circulated for feedback among various ministries.
Pakistan’s absence of a space policy to date has posed challenges in achieving objectives across economic, commercial, educational, research, and scientific domains. The NSP is poised to define Pakistan’s trajectory in space-related endeavors, focusing on boosting the role of the space sector, promoting mission activities, and fostering public-private partnerships in research, education, start-ups, and industry.
Caretaker Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif, chaired a meeting on Pakistan’s National Space Policy, emphasizing the nation’s pursuit of a balanced space policy that safeguards national interests while capitalizing on advancements in the private sector, including initiatives like Starlink.
