The Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) has completed the initial draft of the country’s first-ever Space Regulatory Framework and circulated it among relevant stakeholders for review and input, sources informed ProPakistani.
The draft has been shared with organizations such as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), and other government institutions, which have been asked to submit their feedback before the framework is finalized.
Sources said the draft regulatory framework outlines comprehensive policies for various space domains, including Satellite Communications, Earth Observation, Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), and Space Transportation. The framework is said to be aligned with international best practices and aims to provide Pakistan with a modern, structured approach to space governance.
The proposed framework includes a range of regulatory features such as a clear licensing system for space-based services, risk and safety management protocols, mechanisms for satellite frequency and orbital slot coordination, space object registration, and adherence to international legal obligations. It also incorporates provisions for cybersecurity, data protection, and transparency in commercial space operations.
The Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board signed a formal agreement with Access Partnership on March 3, 2025, to develop this regulatory roadmap. The consultancy is supporting PSARB in shaping a competitive and consumer-oriented space environment in Pakistan. Once stakeholder feedback is incorporated, the finalized framework will be submitted to the federal government for formal approval.
This initiative follows key milestones in Pakistan’s space sector, including the approval of the National Space Policy in December 2023 and the enforcement of the Space Activities Rules in February 2024.
PSARB, which operates under the control of the National Command Authority (NCA), has been tasked with overseeing all space-related activities. According to current regulations, all satellite service providers—domestic or foreign—must obtain registration from PSARB prior to securing a license from PTA.
Several international companies have already shown interest in Pakistan’s satellite internet market. Starlink, which applied in 2022, received a temporary No Objection Certificate (NOC) from PSARB in March 2025 but must now reapply under the new framework.
Other interested players include UK-based OneWeb, China’s Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST), and Amazon’s Project Kuiper. Pakistan’s own PakSat High-Throughput Satellite (HTS), developed by SUPARCO, is also positioned as a domestic alternative to foreign Low Earth Orbit (LEO) providers.