Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, continues to expand its mission of nationwide connectivity through its long-standing collaboration with Universal Service Fund (USF). The partnership, which dates back to 2007, has played a central role in enabling access to high-speed internet in underserved and remote areas, ensuring that millions of citizens are included in the digital economy. Over the years, Jazz and USF have worked together to transform previously unconnected regions into digitally enabled communities, creating opportunities for education, commerce, and tourism while contributing to the broader vision of a Digital Pakistan.
The collaboration gained significant momentum after 2018 under the Broadband for Sustainable Development (BSD) and Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development (NGBSD) programs. Since then, Jazz has completed 24 major projects, rolling out 730 new sites and upgrading 814 existing ones to bring 4G services to more than 10.4 million people across over 4,900 locations. These efforts have not only connected rural and hard-to-reach areas but have also extended digital coverage along critical transportation corridors such as the M3, M4, M5, and M14 motorways. By ensuring high-speed internet along these national highways, Jazz has improved road connectivity, supported logistics, and facilitated digital access for travelers and communities along these routes.
The impact of this partnership is also visible in Pakistan’s tourist destinations, where enhanced network coverage has empowered local communities and supported the growth of eco-tourism. Areas such as Kumrat Valley, Katora Lake, Lake Saiful Malook, and Lulusar Lake have benefited from Jazz’s extended connectivity, allowing visitors and locals alike to remain connected while enabling small businesses to thrive in regions that once had limited or no digital infrastructure. These advancements demonstrate the wide-ranging benefits of telecom expansion beyond urban centers, where connectivity is not only a tool of communication but also a driver of economic opportunity and social empowerment.
In 2025, Jazz has further strengthened its role in advancing digital inclusion by securing five additional USF projects. These new initiatives are set to provide digital access to nearly 1 million people across 400 villages in 10 districts spanning South, Central, and North Pakistan. The projects represent a continuation of Jazz’s commitment to ensuring that marginalized and remote populations have the same opportunities to participate in the digital world as those in urban centers. For the company, connectivity is viewed as a form of empowerment, bringing education, healthcare, commerce, and community engagement within reach for people who were previously excluded from such opportunities.
Syed Zaheer Mehdi, Group Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer at Jazz, noted that the company’s mission is rooted in a simple belief: connectivity is empowerment. He emphasized that every connection opens up possibilities that transform lives, aligning with Jazz’s vision to ensure no one is left behind in Pakistan’s digital journey. Khalid Shehzad, Chief Technology Officer at Jazz, added that the collaboration with USF has enabled the company to set new benchmarks in digital innovation by extending smarter, stronger connectivity to underserved regions and empowering Pakistan’s digital future.
With sustained investment, strategic partnerships, and a focus on inclusivity, Jazz’s ongoing projects with USF reaffirm the role of connectivity as a cornerstone of progress. For millions of citizens across Pakistan, these efforts mean access to tools and resources that can enhance livelihoods, promote economic growth, and ensure that digital inclusion becomes an achievable reality for all.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
