The Universal Service Fund and Jazz have formally signed contracts for four Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development projects aimed at expanding high speed internet access across selected districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The signing ceremony took place at the USF Head Office and was attended by Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja as the chief guest. The agreements mark another step in the government’s ongoing efforts to improve digital access in underserved and rural regions, with a total project value of Rs 1.16 billion.
The contracts were signed by CEO USF Chaudhry Mudassar Naveed and CEO Jazz Aamir Ibrahim. Under these agreements, Jazz will deploy high speed broadband infrastructure across nine districts, ensuring improved connectivity for communities that have historically faced limited access to reliable internet services. The covered districts include Chiniot in Punjab and Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as main project areas, along with Attock, Sargodha, Khushab, Bahawalnagar, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, and Hafizabad under smaller project lots. Once completed, the projects are expected to provide broadband access to approximately 533,000 residents living in 203 rural Mauzas. As per directives shared during the ceremony, implementation timelines range from six to eighteen months to ensure swift service delivery.
In her address, Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated that the signing of these agreements reflects more than infrastructure development, describing it as part of building a strong digital foundation for a connected nation. She highlighted that expanding ICT access remains a priority for the government, noting significant growth in IT exports and international technology partnerships. The minister also shared updates on ongoing efforts to address broader connectivity challenges, including progress on spectrum auction processes and preparations for the launch of 5G services in Pakistan. She revealed that USF has approved projects worth over Rs 20.54 billion in the past six months alone and confirmed that six additional projects are set to commence in Sindh and Balochistan through USF support.
The minister further outlined the cumulative impact of USF’s work nationwide, stating that the organization has invested a total of Rs 136.7 billion to date. This includes Rs 95.27 billion allocated to 107 broadband projects, enabling connectivity for nearly 39.4 million people, and Rs 41.43 billion invested in laying 19,169 kilometers of optical fiber cable. She also noted that high speed connectivity has been extended along 2,585 kilometers of motorways and national highways, supporting both economic activity and public access. CEO USF Chaudhry Mudassar Naveed emphasized that with more than 61 percent of Pakistan’s population residing in rural areas, bridging the digital divide remains central to USF’s mandate. He added that under the Digital Pakistan vision and guidance from the Ministry of IT and Telecom, USF is accelerating project execution across all provinces without regional or political distinction.
Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim expressed appreciation for the government’s continued trust, stating that Jazz is proud to undertake these four strategic projects in partnership with USF. He noted that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to extending the benefits of technology to underserved communities and supporting inclusive digital growth. The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of IT and Telecom, USF, Jazz, and other stakeholders from the ICT sector, underscoring the importance of public private cooperation in expanding nationwide connectivity and strengthening Pakistan’s digital infrastructure.
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