Universal Service Fund has approved new rural telephony and e-services projects for Sibi, Loralai, Killa Saifullah & Barkhan districts. Board of directors approved a subsidy of Rs. 3,195 million to benefit an un-served population of around 500,000 covering 505 unserved Mauzas and an unserved area of 23,617 sq kms.
Project was approved during a Board of Directors Meeting. Mrs. Anusha Rahman, Minister for State for Telecom and IT chaired the meeting in which an overview of the main efforts and development of telecommunication services in un-served and under-served areas throughout the length and breadth of the country by USF was taken.
The Board of Directors also approved a special project for the establishment of computer labs in 12 Baitulmal Sweet Homes orphanages for facilitating underprivileged children.
Considering women and young girls a very important segment of the society, another special project to use ICTs to empower young girls was approved. This project focuses on computer literacy and computer programming ICT skills to be imparted to young girls in unserved and underserved areas for which Computer Labs will be established in the Women Empowerment Centers run by the Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal. The training content will be prepared in collaboration with the Virtual University.
Other Board members including the Secretary IT; Mr. Azmat Ali Ranjha, Member Telecom; Mr. Mudassar Hussain , Chairman PTA; Dr. Syed Ismail Shah, CEO & President PTCL; Mr. Walid Irshaid, Representative of Consumer Association of Pakistan, Mr. Kaukab Iqbal were also present.
Appreciated…