By :Abid Siddique Chaudhry
The World Ambassador (TWA)
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ISLAMABAD: In a major boost to Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and connectivity agenda, the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Jazz on January 21, 2026, signed contracts for four landmark Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development (NGBSD) projects worth PKR 1.16 billion.
The signing ceremony took place at the USF Head Office in Islamabad, with Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication, attending as Chief Guest. The initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan vision and features prominently in Pakistan news today and latest Pakistan updates related to technology, development, and public-private partnerships.
High-Speed Internet Expansion Across Punjab and KPK
Under the newly signed agreements, high-speed broadband services will be extended to nine districts across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Project Coverage
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Main Lots: Chiniot (Punjab), Abbottabad (KPK)
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Small Lots: Attock, Sargodha, Khushab, Bahawalnagar, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad
The projects aim to connect approximately 533,000 residents living in 203 underserved rural mauzas, significantly narrowing Pakistan’s rural-urban digital divide. As per government directives, implementation is scheduled to be completed within a record 6 to 18 months.
Why This Matters: Digital Inclusion & Global Connectivity
Addressing the ceremony, Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the government is “laying the digital foundation for a thriving Digital Nation,” highlighting a surge in IT exports, expanding international partnerships, and progress toward spectrum auction and 5G rollout.
She revealed that USF has approved projects worth PKR 20.54 billion in the last six months alone, with additional broadband initiatives planned for Sindh and Balochistan. These developments reinforce Pakistan’s broader engagement with the international community on digital transformation, economic growth, and global cooperation.
USF’s National Contribution to Pakistan’s ICT Sector
The Minister also outlined USF’s long-term impact on Pakistan’s telecom landscape:
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PKR 136.7 billion invested nationwide to date
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PKR 95.27 billion across 107 broadband projects, connecting 39.4 million people
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PKR 41.43 billion for 19,169 km of optical fiber cable
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High-speed connectivity along 2,585 km of motorways and national highways
These efforts place Pakistan among emerging digital economies featured in world news for infrastructure-led development.
Public–Private Partnership and Governance
USF CEO Chaudhry Mudassar Naveed emphasized that with 61.6% of Pakistan’s population living in rural areas, bridging the digital divide remains a national priority. He noted that USF is executing projects across all four provinces without political or regional bias, under the guidance of the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication.
Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim described the initiative as a symbol of public-private synergy, stating that Jazz is committed to empowering underserved communities and extending the benefits of technology to rural Pakistan.
