Pakistan Advances Earth Observation Regulation Through High-Level Workshop and Industry Engagement in Islamabad

Last week, the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB), together with Access Partnership in its role as the appointed consultant, concluded a significant week of engagements in Islamabad dedicated to advancing the development of Pakistan’s regulatory framework for Earth Observation (EO) and strengthening the foundations of its evolving EO ecosystem.

Bringing together key public sector institutions, industry leaders, and international experts, the programme focused on the design of a modern, transparent, and enabling regulatory environment that reflects international best practices and supports Pakistan’s national priorities.

Earth Observation Regulatory Workshop

On 14 November, PSARB and Access Partnership convened an interagency EO Regulatory Workshop attended by all major public sector organisations engaged in EO activities, including the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Frequency Allocation Board (FAB), Survey of Pakistan (SoP), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), and the Ministry of IT and Telecom (MoITT).

The workshop examined global EO regulatory models, spectrum and licensing requirements for EO satellites, the roles and responsibilities of national institutions, and the specific gaps identified in Pakistan’s current EO framework. Discussions focused on modernising procedures for authorising EO satellites, clarifying the roles of the various public sector institutions, improving interagency coordination, and ensuring responsible and secure use of EO data in line with national development and security objectives.

Industry Roundtable on Satellite Earth Observation Regulations

On 17 November, PSARB and Access Partnership held an Industry Roundtable on Satellite Earth Observation Regulations, bringing together more than fifty participants from across the EO value chain. This included international and national satellite operators, global EO firms, national and international data analytics companies, value added resellers, distributors, and major end users across government and industry.

During the session, Access Partnership presented the benchmarking analysis of EO regulatory regimes across ten countries, the key gaps identified in Pakistan’s current regulatory system, and the findings of the industry consultation conducted in recent months. The roundtable facilitated open dialogue on barriers to market entry, challenges in accessing EO data, and the needs of the local EO ecosystem. Participants provided detailed feedback on the regulatory clarity, data governance requirements, and technical and licensing reforms needed to unlock growth in Pakistan’s EO sector.

Looking ahead

These activities mark another important milestone in PSARB’s work to support the emergence of a competitive, secure, and innovation-driven satellite Earth Observation industry in Pakistan. At Access Partnership, we continue to support this journey by delivering technical, legal, and international regulatory expertise tailored to Pakistan’s national priorities.

For more information about our work on Earth Observation and emerging space markets, including our engagements in Pakistan, please contact Hamza Hameed, Associate Director, Space Economy ([email protected]).