The Universal Service Fund and Jazz have formally signed agreements to roll out high speed broadband services across nine districts of Pakistan, marking another step in the country’s efforts to expand digital access in underserved and rural regions. The signing ceremony was attended by Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, highlighting the government’s continued focus on improving national connectivity through public private collaboration.
Under the newly signed agreements, four broadband infrastructure projects with a combined value of Rs1.16 billion have been initiated. These projects are designed to extend reliable internet access to districts that have historically faced limited connectivity options. The targeted districts include Bahawalnagar, Attock, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Chiniot, and Abbottabad. Once completed, the initiatives are expected to serve approximately 533,000 people living across 203 villages and rural communities. The projects have been structured to ensure timely delivery, with completion timelines ranging from six to eighteen months, enabling faster availability of services to local populations.
Officials emphasized that improved broadband access is critical for socio economic development, particularly in rural areas where access to digital services remains uneven. Enhanced connectivity is expected to support education, healthcare delivery, e commerce, agriculture related services, and small businesses by providing communities with access to online platforms and digital tools. By expanding network reach in these districts, the projects aim to reduce the digital divide and enable residents to participate more actively in the digital economy. The involvement of Jazz, one of the country’s leading telecom operators, is seen as an important factor in ensuring technical expertise, operational efficiency, and long term sustainability of the infrastructure being deployed.
The broadband rollout is also aligned with broader national initiatives being undertaken by the Ministry of IT and Telecom to strengthen Pakistan’s digital ecosystem. Alongside infrastructure expansion, the government is working on increasing spectrum availability and preparing for the introduction of next generation mobile services, including 5G. These efforts are intended to improve overall network quality, boost data speeds, and support emerging technologies and digital services. The Universal Service Fund continues to play a central role in financing connectivity projects in unserved and underserved areas, using contributions from telecom operators to support inclusive digital development.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja noted during the ceremony that expanding broadband access remains a priority under the Digital Pakistan vision. She highlighted that partnerships between the public sector and telecom operators are essential for delivering connectivity at scale, particularly in areas where commercial incentives alone may not be sufficient. By focusing on infrastructure development and service expansion simultaneously, the government aims to create an enabling environment for innovation, digital literacy, and economic growth at the grassroots level. The newly signed agreements with Jazz reflect a continued commitment to empowering citizens through access to modern digital infrastructure and ensuring that the benefits of connectivity reach communities across the country.
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