Pakistan’s Universal Service Fund (USF) has approved nine major telecom projects worth Rs13.05 billion to extend high-speed broadband and voice services to 5.55 million underserved and unserved residents across the country. The decision was announced during the 101st meeting of the USF Board of Directors, chaired by IT & Telecom Secretary Zarrar Hasham Khan.
Six projects under the Next Generation Broadband Services for Sustainable Development (NGBSD) will deliver high-speed connectivity to 1.267 million people across 753 mauzas in seven districts, including Umerkot (Sindh), Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Muzaffargarh (Punjab), Kohat and Mansehra (KP), and Khuzdar (Balochistan).
In addition, three projects will deploy 1,428 km of optical fiber cable across 178 towns and union councils in Sialkot, Narowal, and the Quetta–Ziarat region, enabling connectivity for a further 4.29 million people.
The projects were awarded to service providers through a transparent, competitive bidding process, selecting the lowest compliant bidders.
Zarrar Hasham emphasized the urgent national need to increase fiberisation for mobile towers and BTS sites, noting that USF plays a critical role in bridging the digital divide. He stated that enhanced connectivity strengthens rural economies, supports freelancers, boosts the IT sector, and improves access to essential health and education services.
USF CEO Chaudhry Mudassar Naveed outlined the significant positive impact expected from the new projects and reaffirmed USF’s commitment to nationwide digital inclusion. To date, USF projects have enabled broadband and telecom services for approximately 39.4 million rural residents across Pakistan.
