The Universal Service Fund (USF) has awarded a contract worth Rs. 92 Million to Jazz for providing hi-speed broadband in Kurram Lot (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).
Federal Secretary Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui inaugurated the Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development (NGBSD) project in Kurram (Tehsils of FR Kurram, Lower Kurram, and Upper Kurram) at Ministry of IT & Telecom on Monday.
The contract was signed by CEO Universal Service Fund, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhry with Chief Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Jazz, Syed Fakhar Ahmed.
Chief Guest of the ceremony, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Secretary IT, while addressing stated that the focus of USF to bridge the digital divide has created a technological revolution in the country.
He said that during the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of IT & Telecom is ensuring that broadband connectivity plays an optimum role in dealing with this crisis.
He further stated that the coronavirus has altered the global landscape and we will be adopting an aggressive approach for providing hi-speed broadband. He added that it is need of the hour that all stakeholders work together to fight against COVID-19 by facilitating the people of Pakistan. He also said that with the Digital Pakistan vision set in motion, the strategic role of USF in providing connectivity to all Pakistanis becomes even more significant than before.
Speaking at the occasion, CEO-USF, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhry said that Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, Secretary IT, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui and USF Board of Directors had been torchbearers of the vision for a “Digital Pakistan”.
He further said that they had given USF tremendous support, without which all this could not be achieved. He added that during the outbreak of the coronavirus in Pakistan, USF is making sure that connectivity can enable people to continue carrying out their day to day activities.
Through the project in Kurram, broadband coverage will be provided in 224 mauzas in Kurram covering an approximate unserved area of 2,980 sq. km.
Sharing his views on the development, Syed Fakhar Ahmed, Chief Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Jazz said
Our collaboration with USF is in line with our agenda of bridging the prevalent digital divide. This is why the project has special significance for us and in due time over 0.44 million residents of these areas will have access to the country’s fastest mobile broadband. Jazz is looking forward to assisting these people in unlocking their potential in an increasingly interconnected world.
Senior officials of the Ministry of IT, USF and Jazz were also present at the occasion.
