The Universal Service Fund (USF) and Jazz have signed contracts for four major Next Generation-Broadband for Sustainable Development (NGBSD) projects, marking a significant step in expanding digital access across Pakistan.
The signing ceremony was held at the USF Head Office, with Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja attending as chief guest. The agreements were formally signed by Chaudhry Mudassar Naveed, CEO of USF, and Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz.
Under these contracts, high-speed broadband services will be rolled out across nine districts in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The projects carry a combined value of Rs. 1.16 billion and aim to bridge connectivity gaps in underserved regions.
In her keynote address, Minister Shaza Fatima said the government is not merely executing contracts but laying the foundation for a “Digital Nation.” She highlighted the surge in IT exports and international partnerships, adding that Pakistan is in the final stages of its spectrum auction and preparing for 5G deployment.
She revealed that USF has approved projects worth over Rs. 20.54 billion in the past six months alone and announced that six additional projects will soon commence in Sindh and Balochistan.
The newly awarded projects cover:
- Main lots: Chiniot (Punjab) and Abbottabad (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
- Small lots: Attock, Sargodha, Khushab, Bahawalnagar, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, and Hafizabad
The initiative is expected to bring connectivity to approximately 533,000 residents across 203 rural Mauzas. As per ministerial directives, execution timelines range from six to eighteen months.
Minister Shaza Fatima also highlighted USF’s cumulative national contribution of Rs. 136.7 billion, including:
- Rs. 95.27 billion for 107 broadband projects connecting 39.4 million people
- Rs. 41.43 billion for laying 19,169 km of optical fiber
- High-speed connectivity across 2,585 km of motorways and national highways
Earlier, USF CEO Chaudhry Mudassar Naveed emphasized that with over 61 percent of Pakistan’s population living in rural areas, bridging the digital divide remains critical. He said the pace of execution has accelerated under the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan vision, with projects being rolled out across all provinces without political or regional bias.
Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim welcomed the partnership, stating that the company is proud to be entrusted with these strategic projects. He said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to empower underserved communities and ensure that technology reaches the heart of rural Pakistan.
The ceremony concluded with the Minister reaffirming the government’s resolve to move with speed and precision in building a connected future for Pakistan’s youth.
