The Universal Service Fund (USF) is poised to achieve another monumental milestone toward the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital Pakistan with the approval of nine new Telecom projects valued at Rs. 13.05 Billion.
These projects are set to provide high-speed internet and voice services to 5.55 million unserved and underserved residents across 178 Towns/UCs and 753 mauzas of 11 districts across the country, significantly empowering the rural population to participate in the digital economy & connect with Digital World.
The approvals were granted during the 101st meeting of the USF Board of Directors, chaired by Secretary IT and Telecom and USF Board Chairman Zarrar Hasham Khan, with senior officials and industry representatives in attendance. The projects were awarded to various service providers through a transparent and competitive bidding process.
According to USF, six Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development (NGBSD) projects will collectively provide high-speed connectivity to over 1.26 million people across districts including Umerkot, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Kohat, Khuzdar, Muzaffargarh and Mansehra.
Meanwhile, three Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) expansion projects will lay a total of 1,428 kilometers of fiber to improve digital access for more than 4.29 million residents in Sialkot, Narowal and the Quetta–Ziarat region.
Chairman USF Board Zarrar Hasham Khan emphasized the urgent national requirement to accelerate fiberization of mobile towers and Base Transceiver Stations, urging USF to spearhead progress in underserved regions.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to ensure high-quality digital connectivity for rural communities in line with the vision of Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif and Federal IT Minister Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja. He noted that USF has already enabled broadband, voice and fixed-line services for nearly 39.4 million people in rural Pakistan, significantly contributing to the growth of the IT sector and supporting freelancers, health facilities and educational institutions.
USF CEO Ch. Mudassar Naveed briefed the Board on the extensive impact of the newly approved projects and the transparent bidding process, noting that the Rs 13.05 billion investment will greatly enhance digital access and economic participation in remote regions. The projects, he added, are geographically widespread and designed to bridge the digital divide, further empowering communities to connect with the digital world.