USF Approves Rs. 7.49 Billion for High-Speed Internet Projects in Remote Areas

The Universal Service Fund’s (USF) Board of Directors has greenlit seven transformative projects worth Rs. 7.49 billion. These initiatives will provide high-speed internet and seamless mobile connectivity to 0.96 million residents in 347 mauzas across 10 districts, while two Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) projects will enable high-speed fixed broadband services for 2.8 million residents in two districts. This ambitious endeavour involves laying 940 km of OFC and connecting 113 towns and union councils, effectively bridging the digital divide and empowering remote communities nationwide. The USF Board of Directors’ 98th meeting took place at USF’s Head Office, chaired by Zarar Hasham Khan, Secretary Ministry of IT & Telecommunication (MoIT&T). Attendees included Member Telecom M. Jahanzeb Rahim, Muhammad Yousuf, and CEO Universal Service Fund Chaudhry Mudassar Naveed, while Ayla Majid joined the meeting through video link. Addressing the meeting, Zarar Hasham Khan, Chairman of the Board, said that under the leadership of Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Universal Service Fund is revolutionizing the digital landscape of Pakistan. He added that not only are new projects being launched, but ongoing initiatives are also being completed on time, strictly adhering to targets. The Chairman further stated that USF’s transformative projects have empowered over 37 million people, bridging the digital divide and unlocking opportunities for talented youth and women from remote areas to thrive as freelancers and start-ups. This achievement underscores USF’s pivotal role in advancing Pakistan’s IT industry and significantly boosting IT exports. Chief Executive USF, Chaudhry Mudassar Naveed, briefed the meeting on ongoing, completed, and upcoming projects. The Board appreciated USF’s contributions to expanding connectivity in remote areas, noting that the projects not only provide digital access but also support the broader development of Pakistan’s IT and telecom sector by improving connectivity in rural regions. According to details, the USF Board approved the award of seven projects to the lowest bidders after fulfilling due process, marking a major step in digital connectivity. Notably, two optical fibre cable (OFC) projects, spanning 940 km in two districts, were approved at a value of over Rs. 5.65 billion. These projects will revolutionize digital services in Sanghar and Jhang districts, enabling approximately 2.8 million residents to connect. The Sanghar project will lay 415 km of optical fibre cable, while the Jhang project will cover 525 km. Upon completion, these projects will provide high-speed internet to 113 towns and union councils. In a separate decision, five broadband services projects, valued at over Rs. 1.83 billion, were awarded to the lowest bidder after fulfilling tender requirements. These projects will bring 4G services to over 0.965 million residents in 347 unserved and underserved areas across 10 districts, including Attock, Khushab, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Hafizabad, Sheikhupura, Chiniot, Badin, and Abbottabad.