Govt decides to expand use of Paksat. Govt to raise $700m for National Space Program

[Dil_Pakistan]

Govt to raise $700m for National Space Programme

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to increase the use of Pakistani satellite services in the country by limiting foreign satellite services which will enable the country to raise the amount up to $700 million to be used for the National Space Programme (NSP).

To this effect, the federal cabinet on Tuesday accorded approval to the policy guidelines which, when implemented, will raise $600-700 million for the National Space Programme till 2030.

The National Command Authority (NCA) headed by the prime minister has already approved the NSP. In absence of regulations, owing to default of users of Pakistani satellite services, the country is braving the annual loss of $22.48 million (Rs3.5 billion). Countries around the world, like China, India and Bangladesh have restricted or prohibited the use of foreign satellite systems by granting and financial protection to their own space programmes.

Total satellite capacity usage at present in Pakistan stands at approximately 2,200MHz, out of which 21 percent is on Pakistani satellite and rest is on foreign satellite. In financial terms, a minimum of $35-45 million per year is going out of the country.

As per the official summary available with The News, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has prepared the policy guidelines draft with inputs of all stakeholders.

The documents unfold that in 2004, “Pakistan Program —The Way Forward” was issued by the Prime Minister Secretariat, enshrining parameters and contours for implementation including administrative, financial and regulatory aspects which needs to be implemented in policy frameworks as voids remain especially with reference to regulatory and financial aspects. The national space assets utilisation could have generated $544 million (Rs85 billion) to date.

It mentions that Strategic Plans Division (SPD) initiated a summary for prime minister in March 2019 to address voids, regulatory and financial issues related to sustainability of NSP which is an all encompassing space programme envisaging developments in the field of space, having direct linkages with our strategic programme. The National Command Authority (NCA) headed by the prime minister has already approved the NSP.

The entire edifice of the space programme is based on reducing reliance on foreign and domestic funding. As such, revenue earning satellite services being provided by Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) need to be fully utilised. This is not happening at present primarily due to the unregulated satellite domestic market.

Total satellite capacity usage at present in Pakistan is approximately 2200MHz, out of which 21 percent is on Pakistani satellite and rest is on foreign satellite. In financial terms, a minimum of $35-45 million per year is going out of the country and default of users of Pakistani satellites, in absence of regulations, has piled up to $22.48 million (Rs3.5 billion). Countries around the world, like China, India and Bangladesh restrict or prohibit the use of foreign satellite system, by granting and financial protection to their own space programmes.

The prime minister constituted an inter-ministerial committee under the chair of minister for information technology and telecommunication to come up with any agreed framework and furnish recommendation. The committee after detailed deliberations recommended adoption of policy measures to maximise use of national space assets deployed by Suparco Pakistan International for satellite service in Pakistan in national and financial interests.

The prime minister after pursuing the recommendations of committee directed the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication in consultation with Strategic Plans Division (SPD), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other stakeholders, may develop policy with clear recommendations and present the same before the federal cabinet along with an analysis of some key points. The analysis as desired by the prime minister is placed. Input of relevant stakeholders such as PTA, Pemra, FBR and Cabinet Division has also been included in the draft summary placed in the federal cabinet.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/677102-govt-to-raise-700m-for-national-space-programme

http://www.brecorder.com/news/40000259/domestic-level-govt-decides-to-expand-use-of-paksat

 

[Pakistansdefender]

Great

 

[Safriz]

Thats a very good move.. Thats why i like PTI government. They may not be building flashy motorways but they are doing a work in many other dimensions, which nobody else did for a very long time.

 

[Lincoln]

Good news.

 

[Liquidmetal]

we need satellites for both commercial and military needs, we also should be setting up a PK version of GCHQ for intelligence, signals, cyber, space security.

 

[Syed1.]

This is step 0.1, if only this step would have been taken in the early 90s today we would have had a competitive space program that be earning us billions of dollars in revenue. Leken 'khata hai tu lagata bhi hai', and 'Bhutto kal bhi zinda tha aj bhi zinda hai' completely killed us. Most nations with self respect would have sent these entire families in front of the firing squad to make them an example of what happens if you loot and plunder. Instead in Pakistan these traitors still have millions of supporters.

 

[Defense Reader]

Good news need of the time.

 

[Shahzaz ud din]

Pakistani Government To Launch Ambitious ‘National Space Program’ To Raise $700 Million
An annual sum of $35 million to $45 million is being paid by the country to satellite providers in this regard.
By Mishal Ali Last updated Jun 24, 2020
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The government of Pakistan is aiming to raise $700 million for the National Space Program (NSP) by limiting foreign satellite services.
With Prime Minister Imran Khan in the head chair, the National Command Authority (NCA) has already approved the NSP. After the approval, the federal cabinet has also revised policy guidelines that have the potential to raise at least $600 million to $700 million by the year 2030.
Countries like China, India, and Bangladesh have already limited their use of foreign satellites, and have successful local satellite services. On the other hand, Pakistan Satellite Services totals a deficit of $22.48 million every year. This is because of the complete absence of regulations.

Jun 17, 2020
Currently, the capacity usage in Pakistan is 2200MHz. Out of this, 21% is on Pakistani satellites and the rest is on foreign. An annual sum of $35 million to $45 million is being paid by the country to satellite providers in this regard.

For many years, Pakistan’s satellite program has been in limbo due to less facilitation of the domestic market and the government’s dependence on foreign services. But now, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has prepared the policy guidelines draft with input from the Strategic Plans Divison (SPD), PTA, and other parties involved.

What are your views on this? Share with us in the comments bar below.

 

[Areesh]

This is step 0.1, if only this step would have been taken in the early 90s today we would have had a competitive space program that be earning us billions of dollars in revenue. Leken 'khata hai tu lagata bhi hai', and 'Bhutto kal bhi zinda tha aj bhi zinda hai' completely killed us. Most nations with self respect would have sent these entire families in front of the firing squad to make them an example of what happens if you loot and plunder. Instead in Pakistan these traitors still have millions of supporters.

chalo nawaz sharif khata hai to lagata bhi hai. Pee Pee Pee walai to sirf khatai hain. Lagatai kuch bhi nahi

 

[IceCold]

Khota khors kya pata unha to bus biryani ki plate nazar Ani chaie.
On topic for the first in a long long time any government is pouring money in our neglected space program. Today and future is all about digitalization, space, cyber warfare. We lack in all.

 

[shahbaz baig]

It is really a great news. I love it.