Islamabad: Pakistan is looking to generate USD 700 million by filling the gaps in the regulatory and financial aspects of its local satellite services, a news source reported today (July 3). To this effect, the government aims to reduce the reliance on foreign and domestic funding through a comprehensive National Space Programme – which has been approved by the National Command Authority.
Under the programme, services being provided by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) are yet to be fully utilised as the domestic satellite market is unregulated.
Currently, the total capacity of 2,200 MHz is being utilised in Pakistan, out of which only 21% is being used by Pakistani satellites while the rest is being utilised through foreign satellites. Other regional countries have prohibited the use of foreign satellites to financially protect their local space programmes including China, India and Bangladesh.
Pakistan is losing out on nearly USD 35-40 million each year, while at the same time, USD 22.48 million is pending in defaults owing to lack of regulations.
