ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — International telecom leaders and ministers gathered in Islamabad on October 13, 2026, for the high-level Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Symposium on Digital Transformation and Universal Service Fund (USF). Co-hosted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) and USF Pakistan, the three-day international forum established an operational roadmap to modernize universal service mandates across Asia-Pacific member states.
The symposium signals a shift from basic coverage and voice subsidies toward gigabit fiberization, low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks, device financing, and localized rural artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
USF Pakistan Reaches $1 Billion Subsidy Milestone
In her inaugural address, Honourable Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced a milestone for Pakistan's telecom sector, revealing that USF Pakistan has crossed $1.054 billion in deployed contracted subsidies.
The Minister emphasized that digital access serves as an engine of economic empowerment under the framework of the APT Tokyo Statement 2025.
"True digital transformation requires bridging the usage gap just as aggressively as the coverage gap," stated Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja. "Pakistan is modernizing its policy landscape to empower rural communities with high-speed Fiber backhaul, smartphone affordability, and localized AI compute capabilities."
Next-Generation Mandates for the Asia-Pacific Region
Addresses by international leaders focused on adapting telecom frameworks to meet the demands of 5G, satellite connectivity, and AI. Dr. Masanori Kondo, Secretary General of the APT, stressed that the risk of digital exclusion has shifted from physical coverage to quality, capability, and digital readiness.
Expanding on organizational achievements, Ch. Mudassar Naveed, CEO of USF Pakistan, reported that the organization has completed 158 out of 185 awarded projects, utilizing over PKR 169 Billion in subsidies and directly benefiting more than 38.4 million people.
Gigabit Fiberization: Expanding high-speed fiber backhaul and middle-mile connectivity to unserved and low-income regions.
Smartphone Affordability: Developing Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) device-financing frameworks to bridge the usage gap.
Policy Streamlining: Implementing low-cost Right-of-Way (ROW) policies and active infrastructure sharing.
Emerging Tech Integration: Leveraging LEO satellite constellations, cloud computing, and green solar-powered towers.
Distinguished Attendance and Three-Day Agenda
The symposium brought together senior leadership, including Ms. Palwasha Khan (Chairperson, Senate Standing Committee), Maj. Gen. (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman (Chairman, PTA), alongside international delegates from Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Bhutan, Malaysia, and Samoa, as well as executives from PTCL, Jazz, Zong, and Huawei.
The three-day agenda addresses technical and strategic priorities for the region:
Day 1 (Oct 13): Executive panels on future-proofing universal service, 5G readiness, open-access fiber, and ROW rationalization.
Day 2 (Oct 14): Focus on extreme terrain connectivity, green infrastructure, active sharing, and targeted digital empowerment for women.
Day 3 (Oct 15): Deliberations on rural AI compute readiness, subsea cable resilience, and regional policy recommendation adoption.
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