USF Approves Next Generation Broadband Projects for South Punjab

The Board of Directors (BoD) of Universal Service Fund (USF) has approved two projects of Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development (NG-BSD) with an estimated cost of over Rs. 360 million.

The Federal Secretary Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui chaired the 66th Board of Directors (BoD) meeting of Universal Service Fund (USF) at Universal Service Fund Office on Friday.

The meeting approved the contract signing of the project ‘NG-BSD Rahimyar Khan Lot’ which encompasses Khanpur, Liaquat Pur, Rahim Yar Khan and Sadiqabad tehsils with an estimated cost of Rs. 198 million. The project benefits a total unserved population of approximately 1.2 million covering 741 unserved mauzas and an approximate unserved area of 8,591 Sq. km.

The board also approved the contract signing of the project ‘NG-BSD Bahawalnagar Lot’ which covers Bahawalnagar, Chishtian, Fort Abbas, Haroonabad & Minchianabad tehsils with an estimated cost of Rs. 166 million. The project benefits approximately 0.9 million people and covers 505 unserved mauzas and an approximate unserved area of 6,127 Sq. km.

Secretary IT ministry emphasized the importance of utilizing technology to help the country achieve broader national aims such as improved health and education outcomes and equal access to opportunities for citizens nationwide.

He added that these projects will greatly empower the people living in South Punjab who were deprived of all these facilities earlier. Furthermore, Siddiqui also appreciated USF’s vision to bridge the connectivity and socio-economic development gap between urban and rural communities.

Major General (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa, Chairman PTA; Shabahat Ali Shah, Executive Director, NITB; Irfan Wahab, CEO-Telenor Cluster Head for Emerging Asia and Nominee of Mobile Cellular Operators; Imran Akhtar Shah, VP for Government Sales, Supernet Pvt Ltd and Nominee of Data Licensees; Rashid Khan, CEO PTCL and Nominee of Fixed Line Operators; Kaukab Iqbal, Chairman, Consumer Association of Pakistan and Nominee of Consumer Group and management of USF Co. attended the meeting.

The board members also discussed key priorities over the upcoming year in line with the federal government’s objectives, focusing on an ICT enabling environment, capacity building and infrastructure development. The board thanked the Secretary IT for his support to achieve all the objectives and targets of USF.


  • Honorable Federal Secretary The MOITT Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui chaired 66th Board of Director Meeting USF Approved NGN Broadband for Sustainable Development (NG-BSD), emphasis utilise technology to help the country achieve broader national aims such as improved health/education outcomes and equal access to opportunities. Zong-Fiber initiation from Gulistane Jauhar Karachi for 1st accession on 4G Broadband on FTTH to serve the area with zeal. Where PTCL has failed to provide FTTH G-Pon Access in Karachi for years with PTCL conventional internet which is just a joke. I’m on waiting list of G-Pon for almost year with reply of Non-Feasible whereas other G-Pon providers had changed the scenario by instant services of FTTH. Compliments Mr. Irfan Ali Shah CEO Telenor Cluster Head of merging Asia played the most important role in the telecom., sector.
    We expect PTCL to equally participate in the arena of 5G trails strengthening its terrestrial network as Zong Fiber did in Karachi.

  • Honorable Fed. Secretary Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui Esq., as Senior Subscriber of Telecom., using telecom., services. The provision of Exemption of Taxation on telephone and broad band services in Pakistan should be considered as an important consideration among the ITU member administrations worldwide.
    I shall be obliged if it meets your consideration for possible waiver for Seniors.


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