Pakistani senators have called for billionaire Elon Musk to apologise for comments they claim promote “anti-Pakistan propaganda.” This demand comes as Musk seeks regulatory approval for his Starlink satellite internet service in Pakistan.

According to reports, Musk’s company has applied for a license to operate in the country but is awaiting clearance before users can access the service. A senate committee on information technology and telecommunications discussed the application on Wednesday. According to the committee chair, Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, several senators criticised Musk’s remarks on his social media platform X, where he linked men of Pakistani origin to historic abuse cases in England.

“It was suggested that approval should be given on the condition of his apology,” Khan told AFP, clarifying that while it was part of the discussion, it may not be a formal requirement.

Musk recently commented “True” on a post by an Indian lawmaker accusing Pakistan of being responsible for grooming gangs in the UK. These remarks sparked outrage in Pakistan, with senators calling them defamatory and harmful.

The abuse cases in question occurred in Rotherham, England, where a 2014 public inquiry revealed that gangs, mostly of South Asian origin, exploited over 1,400 girls between 1997 and 2013. These cases remain a contentious issue in the UK.

While Musk is best known for his ventures in electric vehicles and space, he has also gained political attention in recent years. Recently, he was appointed by former US President Donald Trump to lead a new department focused on cutting federal government spending.