ISLAMABAD: In a major push to bridge the digital divide, the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Fund (USF) has approved nine mega connectivity projects with a combined budget of approximately Rs 13 billion. The approvals were granted during a pivotal board meeting chaired by Federal Secretary for IT and Telecommunication, Zarar Hashim Khan.
The high-level meeting, attended by key figures including Chairman PTA Major General (retd) Hafeez-ur-Rehman, Member Telecom Jahanzeb Rahim, and CEO USF Chaudhry Mudassar Naveed, focused on expanding digital infrastructure to underserved regions. The newly sanctioned projects are designed to deploy high-speed internet, voice communication services, and fiber optic cable networks across 11 districts nationwide.
This ambitious initiative represents one of the USF’s most significant investments in recent times, aiming to catalyze digital inclusion. Upon completion, the projects are projected to provide internet and mobile connectivity to over 5.5 million citizens currently in unserved or underserved areas.
The rollout will have a transformative impact at the grassroots level. Residents of 178 towns and union councils, encompassing 753 villages within the 11 beneficiary districts, will gain access to the digital world. This connectivity is expected to unlock new opportunities in education, healthcare, commerce, and governance, fostering socio-economic development in these regions.
The USF, an agency under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, is mandated to promote the development of telecommunication services across the country, particularly in remote and rural areas. The approval of these projects underscores the government’s commitment to its digital Pakistan vision, ensuring that technological progress benefits populations beyond urban centers.
Officials have emphasized that these infrastructure projects are critical for building a more inclusive digital economy and ensuring equitable access to information and communication technologies for all Pakistanis.
Meanwhile the Balochistan government has decided to tighten its crackdown on overseas leadership of the banned outfits associated with India proxy Fitna al Hindustan and operating from abroad.
As per details, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti chaired a high-level meeting that approved strict and extraordinary measures to dismantle terrorist networks in the province.
Officials presented evidence, including call recordings and communication links between overseas militant leaders and their local facilitators. The meeting decided to intensify action against the chiefs, commanders and members of outlawed groups.
