STRATEGIC DIGITALIZATION: USF AWARDS HIGH-SPEED OFC AND MOBILE BROADBAND CONTRACTS FOR SANGHAR AND BADIN DISTRICTS
KARACHI: In a major stride toward national digitization, the Honourable Governor of Sindh, Kamran Khan Tessori, and the Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication presided over the Award Signing Ceremony for two mega connectivity projects worth PKR 3.94 Billion . The projects, executed through the Universal Service Fund (USF), aim to revolutionize digital infrastructure in the Sanghar and Badin districts of Sindh.
Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori lauded the Federal Ministry’s performance, particularly in reaching far flung rural populations. He reaffirmed his full support for Prime Minister’s “Digital Pakistan” vision, emphasizing that such initiatives are vital for provincial harmony and economic growth. The Federal Minister for IT & Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja highlighted the government’s resolve, stating, “Our dream is to fulfil the promise of ‘IT & Telecom for All.’ We are transforming Pakistan, and specifically Sindh, into a premier Digital Nation.”
Key Highlights of the Ceremony:
Sanghar OFC Project: A contract was signed between CEO USF, Ch. Mudassar Naveed, and CEO DANCOM, Luqman Kamil, to lay 415 KM of Optical Fiber Cable with an investment of PKR 3.27 Billion, connecting 1.38 million people.
Badin Broadband Project: A contract was signed between CEO USF and Vice President Jazz, Mudassar Hussain, to provide high-speed mobile broadband to 432,666 residents in 144 unserved Mauzas with an investment of PKR 668.47 Million.
5G & AI Momentum: The Minister announced that Pakistan is in the final stages of the 5G launch scheduled for next month and highlighted the on-going “Indus AI Week” initiative, using the new infrastructure in Badin and Sanghar districts as a launchpad for AI ascendancy.
The event was attended by high-profile leaders including Chairman NA Standing Committees Syed Amin-ul-Haque and Dr. Farooq Sattar, Parliamentary Secretary Sabheen Ghoury, Special Secretary MoITT Syed Ammar Naqvi, MNA Ahmed Saleem Siddiqui, USF Board Member Muhammad Yusuf, Ex-Chairman P@SHA Zohaib Khan and top tech industry leaders.
USF Performance Snapshot (National & Sindh)
National Legacy: Since 2006, USF has launched 128 projects worth PKR 129.21 Billion, connecting 39.4 Million people.
Sindh Province Milestone: To date, 26 projects worth PKR 19.05 Billion have been completed in Sindh, providing mobile broadband to 12.84 million people across 4,940 mauzas.
Recent Momentum: In the last 8 months, the USF Board has approved 16 projects worth PKR 20.54 Billion for 22 districts across Pakistan.
Earlier, in a compelling welcome address, CEO USF, Ch. Mudassar Naveed, underscored the organization’s foundational mandate to bridge the digital divide. He showcased USF’s sterling performance and reaffirmed an unwavering commitment to maintaining its fabulous track record of transforming underserved regions. Expressing deep gratitude, he thanked the leadership of MoIT & Telecom, DANCOM, JAZZ, and all strategic stakeholders for their synergistic support in turning these ambitious digital goals into reality.
