Eleven districts to receive PKR13b for digital expansion

WEB DESK: In a significant push to bridge the digital divide, the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Fund (USF), under the Ministry of IT & Telecom, has approved nine major telecommunications projects valued at over PKR 13 billion. The initiatives are aimed at providing high-speed internet, voice communication, and fiber optic connectivity across 11 underserved districts.

Federal Minister for IT, Ms. Shaza Fatima, has directed an acceleration of efforts to eliminate the digital disparity between urban and rural areas, a directive underscored in the recent board meeting. USF Chairman and Secretary IT, Zarrar Hashim Khan, stated that these projects will benefit more than 5.5 million people.

“Residents of 178 towns, union councils, and 753 villages across these 11 districts will now be connected to the digital world,” Khan announced. He emphasised that enhancing internet and mobile connectivity in rural and remote regions is crucial for boosting the digital economy.

To date, USF initiatives have already connected 39.4 million people in rural areas to connectivity services. The newly approved projects include laying 1,428 kilometers of optical fiber cable in Sialkot, Narowal, and Ziarat (Quetta). Six additional broadband service projects were sanctioned for the districts of Umarkot, Gujranwala, Kohat, Khuzdar, Muzaffargarh, Mansehra, and Mandi Bahauddin.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Chairman PTA Maj. Gen. Hafeezur Rehman, Member Telecom Jahangzeb Rahim, Muhammad Yousuf, and Ms. Aaila Majid. The board’s decision marks a continued commitment to nationwide digital inclusion and infrastructure development.