High-speed internet, fiber expansion, and mobile connectivity for 11 districts Over 5.5 million Pakistanis to benefit
Islamabad (Flare Magazine Report):
In a major stride towards a truly Digital Pakistan, the Universal Service Fund (USF) an executing arm of the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication has approved nine major connectivity projects worth over Rs 13 billion aimed at expanding high-speed broadband, voice communication, and fiber-optic infrastructure across 11 undeserved districts of the country.
These landmark decisions taken in a high-level meeting of the USF Board of Directors, chaired by the Secretary IT & Telecom and Chairman USF Board, following the strategic directives of Federal Minister for IT, Shaza Fatima. The minister has stressed accelerating efforts to eliminate Pakistan’s growing digital divide between cities and rural areas.
Over 55 Lakh People to Get Connected
According to USF CEO Zarar Hashim Khan, the newly approved projects will directly benefit more than 5.5 million people, providing them with modern digital services.
- 178 towns and union councils
- 753 villages
- 11 districts
will soon be connected to high-speed digital infrastructure.
Zarar Hashim Khan added that through ongoing USF initiatives, 39.4 million rural residents across Pakistan have already gained access to mobile and broadband services a milestone in national digital inclusion.
Mega Projects Breakdown
- Fiber Optic Cable Projects (3 District Clusters)
For the districts of Sialkot, Narowal, Ziarat, and Quetta, USF has approved projects covering:
1,428 kilometers of new fiber-optic cable
Providing backhaul and high-capacity networks for future digital growth
Broadband Service Projects (6 Districts)
New high-speed 4G/5G-ready broadband infrastructure will rolled out in:
- Umerkot
- Gujranwala
- Kohat
- Khuzdar
- Muzaffargarh
- Mansehra
- Mandi Bahauddin
Chief Technology Officer Chaudhry Muddassir Naveed highlighted that these projects will significantly boost service quality in remote and semi-urban locations.
Digital Economy to Receive a Strong Boost
The Chairman USF Board said the expansion of internet and mobile connectivity in backward and remote areas will help fuel Pakistan’s rapidly evolving digital economy, enabling education, e-health, e-commerce, fintech access, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Board Members in Attendance
The board meeting has attended by:
- Major General Hafeez ur Rehman, Chairman PTA
- Jahanzaib Rahim, Member Telecom
- Muhammad Yousaf
- Ms. Aila Majid
