Who is Ishaq Dar to Approve Universal Service Fund Projects?

A company statement published on Universal Service Fund’s website has said that Mr. Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister, approved a telecenter project worth Rs. 5 billion, despite the fact that Mr. Dar has nothing to do with USF.

For those who don’t know, Universal Service Fund is a private company, established under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984. It is run by independent governing board that has four directors from private sector and another four from public sector. CEO happens to be the ninth director of the company.

Interestingly, Mr. Ishaq Dar, Minister Finance, isn’t on the board and has nothing to do with the decision making at the company.

Ishaq Dar is an outsider for USF company, and his involvement in approving USF projects is illegal

USF, as an independent and autonomous body, doesn’t need to ask any outsider to approve its projects.

It merits mentioning here that telecom companies deposit 1.5% of their annual revenues to Universal Service Fund and this money is ultimately used by USF for various project that are aimed at stretching telecom and IT services in far-flung, under-served areas of the country.

According to experts, Mr. Dar’s influence on USF is illegal and can be questioned by the court. His influence on an independent ICT company may also lead to politicisation of telecom sector which is otherwise unbiased towards any political regime.

For instance, due to such influence from Mr. Dar, proposed tele-centres might get allotted on political grounds, despite the fact that money spent on these tele-centres came from cellular companies. Moreover, each tele-centre is said to employ three individuals for operations — which we suspect will be hired on Mr. Dar or his party’s consent.

This is why industry opposed the removal of USF money (about Rs. 70 billion) from company accounts to Federal Consolidated Fund.

By influencing USF, Mr. Dar is politicizing a private company that runs on telco’s funds

Cellular industry, that is actually the real funder of USF, is silent on the matter, hinting that they have some kind of arrangement with politicians.

We tried, but couldn’t arrange USF’s take on this.

It won’t be out of place to mention that USF hasn’t publicized any criteria for areas/towns where said tele-centres will be established. USF has also not made the list public for proposed areas/towns where these tele-centers will be established.

We doubt that these tele-centers might get deployed in only such areas where government needs political advantage, and may sabotage the core-philosophy of USF.

Tech and telecom reporter for over 15 years


  • Though i am a supporter of PML (N) but this is not excusable in any case because it is our money and we only have the right to choose the right man.

      • Paa jee i don’t do the slavery of words, i look for the nation building models. i know what you mean to say but your bulshit cannot stop i can read your mind. ;)

      • yar app logon ko kyoun jalan hai. uski marzi slave banay ya imran khan ka pujari. Is mulk mei koi bardasht hi nahi ker sakta aglay banday ke choice. bhai bardasht kerna sekho zarori nahy hai kay her kisie ko wahy acha lagay jo tumhay acha lagta ho.

        Aur slave wo hotay hain jin ke apny koi samaj nahi hoty aur totay ke tarah dosron kay lafz bar bar kehtay hain. jaisay kay imran khan sahab ne n league supporters ko slave keh dia to ab to tum ne kehna hy kehna hai na. q kay apny to koi soch hai nahy.
        Daikho bhai ager wo ghalat banday ko pasand kerta hai to uski marzi tumhay problem nahy hony chahiye. ager majority in Pakistan like bad people , you can do nothing that is their choice.

      • Yeah, 5 billions were actually given to you to distribute Q-mobiles, bikes and Umrah tickets for Ramzan project coming up.

  • As usual… politicians trying to do whatever they want thinking that nobody will dare to oppose them…

  • Jahan itne saray aur kaam illegal horahay hain wahan ek aur sahi… kia farq parta hai, itna sab kuch open honay k baad bhi kuch nahi badalta is mulk me. Pakistan waqai ek mazak ban k reh gaya hai.

    • ap ki masaal aise hi hai , k sarey log peeshaap pee rahey hain to thora ma bhi pee leta hon …. Salam hai ap ki soch aur tarbiyat per !

      • Salam hai ap ki soch aur tarbiyat per ! don’t u raise ur voice against a corrupt system? sarey log peeshaap pee rahey hain to thora ap bhi peee he rahy ho????? ab bolo

  • I see that news and concluded that writer of the blog not understand it correctly. Mr. Ishaq Dar approve funds for USF projects from govt fundings for which he is authorized as finance minister. he not use/approve/spent already funds having by USF.

    Other respected people are also requested to qoute after understanding please.

    • You probably didn’t read the press statement I was referring to, it clearly says that Mr. Dar approved project and also released funds. Meaning that he did two things, which is clearly not his job.

      • You maligned the meaning here for some purpose, otherwise you know very well.

        • Do you have any idea that this money was stolen from USF and was put in consolidated fund? Now he is approving a fund for USF that originally belong to USF… khair

          The real question is about approving project, not funds.

          Plus, just in case if you don’t know, funds from consolidated funds are approved by parliament, not finance minister. He just releases the funds in accordance with needs.

  • I see that news and concluded that writer of the blog not understand it correctly. Mr. Ishaq Dar approved funds for USF projects from govt fundings for which he is authorized as finance minister. he not use/approve/spent already funds having by USF.

    Other respected people are also requested to qoute after understanding please.

  • USF itself cannot build these telecenters as its not mandated under law to do construction as its not in its charter. First law needs to be ammended then Dar can approve or disapprove since he is the defacto head of Pakistan. But USF funds are independent of Gov of Pakistan and and Gov of Pakistan does not in any capacity provide funds to USF. So finance Ministry cannot and shouldnot interfere in USF affairs. But since Ministers are in bed with each other so who can stop approvals or disapprovals
    GOD BLESS PAKISTAN AND SAVE IT TOO

  • Again @aamir7:disqus falls in love with Government as a PTI supporter.
    Ishaq Dar approves only funds for the project, he didn’t approve the project.
    Second thing for your lie Aamir, USF supposed for the projects in remote areas and the news also said that where these tele-centers were going to build but however I cannot say about your fears like PTI fears.
    Second you forgot that in 2011 you too reported that USF funds were going to move into FCF’s directly and government will approve the money for projects of USF.
    That is what happening now, MR. Dar as finance minister approve the fund for the project, approval only made after the project were presented to government.
    In presentation, representatives of USF were there, and I guess there BOD are from both government and private sector.
    So please don’t troll like IK, phir baad main kaho gay USF kay thailay kholo us main saboot hain.

    • App press release ki first line dobara parh lain, maybe Kuch idea ho jaye apko.

      About location of tele-centres, yes it mentions about the remote areas but does it say any names? Or any criteria? Please do enlighten me if you find out.

      You need to understand that I can’t afford to produce lies. ProPakistani readers are way more intelligent than you think, and buying a lie would be last thing you can expect from them.

      But I do face issues with select readers, for example when I say that paid posts are wrong, some readers (who were bloggers themselves) came up and argued that I didn’t get money and hence I did that story. I can’t help such readers.

      And I don’t have any political affiliations, just to set the records. “Again @aamir7 falls in love with Government as a PTI supporter. Ishaq Dar approves only funds for the project, he didn’t approve the project. Second thing for your lie Aamir, USF supposed for the projects in remote areas and the news also said that where these tele-centers were going to build but however I cannot say about your fears like PTI fears. Second you forgot that in 2011 you too reported that USF funds were going to move into FCF’s directly and government will approve the money for projects of USF. That is what happening now, MR. Dar as finance minister approve the fund for the project, approval only made after the project were presented to government. In presentation, representatives of USF were there, and I guess there BOD are from both government and private sector. So please don’t troll like IK, phir baad main kaho gay USF kay thailay kholo us main saboot hain.” [image: Disqus] Settings
      A new comment was posted on ProPakistani ——————————
      *Dr.
      Aamir Liaquat Hussain*
      Again aamir7 falls in love with Government as a PTI supporter.
      Ishaq Dar approves only funds for the project, he didn’t approve the project.
      Second thing for your lie Aamir, USF supposed for the projects in remote areas and the news also said that where these tele-centers were going to build but however I cannot say about your fears like PTI fears.
      Second you forgot that in 2011 you too reported that USF funds were going to move into FCF’s directly and government will approve the money for projects of USF.
      That is what happening now, MR. Dar as finance minister approve the fund for the project, approval only made after th e project were presented to government.
      In presentation, representatives of USF were there, and I guess there BOD are from both government and private sector.
      So please don’t troll like IK, phir baad main kaho gay USF kay thailay kholo us main saboot hain.

      5:12 p.m., Wednesday April 29 | Other comments by Dr. Aamir Liaquat Hussain * Reply to Dr. Aamir Liaquat Hussain * Moderate this comment by email

      Email address: *[email protected]* | IP address: 217.164.216.115

      Reply to this email with “Delete”, “Approve”, or “Spam”, or moderate from the *Disqus moderation panel* .
      ——————————

      You’re receiving this message because you’re signed up to receive notifications about activity on threads authored by aamir7.

      You can unsubscribe from emails about activity on threads authored by aamir7 by replying to this email with “unsubscribe” or reduce the rate with which these emails are sent by adjusting your notification settings .
      [image: Disqus]

      • A very nice reply to cover yourself,
        e said the principle approval of the project that means the project submitted by USF will get money after the authenticity of information. You took one word and make it a top headline story..seriously salute to you and your professionalism or what I said earlier the love for government. Usually people focus on theme not one word.
        Second you try to cover that no details provided of remote areas and you want detail of 500 tele-centers?
        Come on and be mature , it’s a press release note a detailed document where you get all details, otherwise show me any news from any where in the world where you get details of about 500 centers, anyhow you just try to cover your lie. Can you explain on what basis you said that these centers were build on specific areas to gain political advantage.
        Last, everyone have political affiliations including you.

        • Whole statement is filled with praises of Mr. Dar, without mentioning any USF Official or the board. The word it used is “Accorded”, like it was he approving the project. Log kanoo say nahi khatay sir.

          Plus you are justifying a lame situation. They illegally moved the money, now we need their approval to get it back. That’s altogether another story of looting the rights of common man.

          If they are so pious, as you sound, and are not going to sabotage this whole project then what are USF suv’s doing with minister and another one with the secretary? I have registration number of cars too, just in case if you need.

          App Jo kar rahay hain iss ko kehtay hain ulta choor kotwaal ko dantay.

          • Praising Dar doesn’t mean what you said, they mention that representatives of USF were there.
            Now you are diverting things, the money of USF moved to FCF and then allocating them through approvals was not Dar’s decision, that was taken in 2011, maybe wrong or right but USF is the project of GoP so they have right to do as per law whether right or wrong.
            Second issue of cars used by irrelevant persons is another issue and I guess you are not the liberty to claim rather its telcos duty as they gave their part of net revenue to USF.
            You and Me are not the Judge to decide everything.

          • These are old articles, but now you are Pro PTI at least from 2013
            Don’t get angry on this, we all affiliated with political parties, it’s normal and nothing wrong.
            Look I know you from last 5 years as a blogger, that’s why I say this to you.

              • News regarding a political party and news showing support or degrading a political party is different thing. I guess you are moderator here. Anyhow, what propakistani logo doing in this picture? (Fake or Real is another issue)
                ICT Domain???
                Don’t go too far in this thing now….
                Do me a favor, on PTA website this number +92-51-5154088 is of zonal office Rawalpindi, you can check by yourself, but the number from last 2 years as I know belong to someone else but not the zonal office. If you know anyone there who can remove or update please let them know but don’t make it news atleast.

                • Was this image posted on this website? Never!

                  So let’s give it an end here.

                  • hahahha yeah end this I only asked about your logo rest you know.

                    • logo was added so others may not steal the image. You know how it works here.

                    • do not deny the fact you have soft spot for PTI but that is normal.That is nothing to hide. And this article is good very good i praise it. But remeber this government are doing things that are very good too. If you look at it as a neutral person you will see a lot of good too in the it sector that is. So you need to blog about that too to keep things in balance.
                      This is just an advice not a debate.

                    • ahaha really this nation willl never learn from their past still taking sides of corrupt leaders.. anyway enjoy being a deaf nation:)

                    • what the heck is wrong with you people yar. kisie ka opinion huzm hy nahy hota tum logon se. Bus ya to sub ko woh acha lagay jo tumhay acha lagay warna phir wo slave bi hai deaf bi hai. bhai khud mei bardasht lao please.

  • Rs. 5 billion is a HUGE amount, only Ishaq Dar’s stomach can digest the commission ….

  • Is that first political intervention? just see last few years these cheaters have cheated everywhere.

  • o janab. Ghulami is qoum ka muqadar bn chuki hai. aisay articles likhne sy andhay andhay hee rahaingay.

  • USF has become an enbelem of nepotism, incompetence and irregularities. No wonder Anusha Rehman uses it as her personal fund of discretion she goes around announicing stuff and then asks the CEO of Usf and its incompetent jack of all trades CFO who happens to hold 5 important positions in the same company to do her bidding from providing laptops to important high ups and gadgeteries to minisiters USF uses its funds to please political personalities at the behest of Minister of IT. The new CEO of usf is highly 1.3 million paid buffoon who is happy to comply to the ministers wishes. Telecenters project is just a farce for commission and kick backs. Anusha is lady love of Dar Ji and hence wether she or Dar who ever benefits can announce approval of projects. Law or no law my foot!!

  • Dear,
    What do we expect from Political Leaders whose focus is to made roads,bridges to keep their Steel/Cement Business in a BOOM ZONE.
    In Recent visit of Chinese President, we didn’t even feel to pick the issues of Railway Boggies provided by Chinese manufactures are of no use but Scrap.
    Country whose soon Water Crisis is the main issue,but focus on Solar Energy rather than to make consensus of Water DAMS.
    Govt – PTA can’t even justify it’s Charges over Prepaid Recharging Card other than 10%, 19 Rs Going into Pocket of PTA-Telcos. On requesting the notification, Telecom Sectors says that’s a legal document can not be share with Third Party ( Customer),here it must be clear that Third Party from where Telecom is grabbing money. No Justification over “Call Setup Charges” by Telecom sectors, neither they have any justification how thru such charges Call Quality Improves? especially in case Call Drops.
    Ishaq Dar, a simple Chartered Accountant, how he can make such high budgets. After showing High Foreign Reserves from Overseas Pakistanis, why there’s a need to touch USF Funds? Govt always find an easy way to grab money, if any court intervention, President is there to issue an Ordinance even in Mid-Night.
    I think such case must be take in Supreme Court of Pakistan, hopefully,after 2-1/2 year after tenure completion, decision will come out to salute the Justice.

  • Yeh konsi naii baat ha. Ager dar sb apne bandun ko telecenters mein adjust nahi krrainge tu USF management apne rishtedarun ko ko adjust ker le gi yah operators. Is tarahan se ghareeb awam ko tu faida hi hoga na. Pehle sare projects KPK aour Sindh mein huwe aour USF management nein khoob mazee kiye. Khoob loota awam ka pesa aour khoob apne rishtedarun ko jobs din. Ab shuker ha ke kuch punjab walun ko bhi faida hoga hoga. Woh alehda baat ha ke suba Saraikistan ki awam ko koi faida nahi ho ga. USF IS A NAME OF CORUPTION AND MONEY LOUNDERING.

  • Amir Atta USF Management ki corruption / looting nahi batatee ?

    Kahin Amir Atta USF Management ka chamcha tu nahi ha yah kuch aour …….

    Zara Sochieee

  • 2006 se le ker ab tak USF nein kitne ghoost projects kiye hain aour unki funding govt ke pesun se ki ha.

    Ab tak kitni illegal hiring and promotion s ki hain USF nein.

    USF is not a private company. Basically its a trial project started in 2006 under control of government / MOIT & PTA. as per Telecom Act.

  • a picture is worth a thousand words – one look at the header pic and you already know the answer to all the whos, hows, and whys

  • Many ghost workers are working in USF and National ICT . these places are to adjust friends and families . for example a person whose name will not on the ICT Fund website and he is the nefew of PS of a resource ful person of Ministry can be traked on this phone number 0314-3428090 . yo ucan check yourself his caliber and his pay and lot of other facilities. Politicians ka to naam hi badnam ha yaha to pori munni badnam ha

  • ICT Fund me to aik hi resource ful aunti ha jis ko ministry ki b support ha or wo waha pa GM b ha or manager b ha or admin b ha or compny secretary b ha or legal b ha or uska caliber us sa 2 minute bat kr k hi pata chal jata ha laikin kia kren wo under k mafia ko full support krti ha or kisi ko hero sa zero bna skti ha or kisi ko zero sa hero. She is a complete Nab case but no one dare … no record left kis base pr investigation ho ge ya audit ho ga

  • o bhai koi pochnay wala ni ha. tab ni pocha jab 4 billion k funds MIDAS ko us advertizement or media campaign k lia disburse kia gae jo na to aap na dekhi ho ge na ham na

  • It is a shame for all Pakistanies that a Minister is lying in the Parliament and no body objected to his statements. Because the most of the parliamentarians are not educated and has no national interest.
    Shame to Government.


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