Over 37m Pakistanis connected through telecom projects

Pakistan’s Universal Service Fund (USF) has connected over 37.1 million people and laid 17,200 km of fibre optic cable through 161 projects across the country, said the Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima.

Speaking at the Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation event in Islamabad—organised by USF and Jazz in connection with International Girls in ICT Day—Fatima highlighted the programme’s role in expanding digital access.

“Our underserved communities are coming online,” she said. “USF’s fibre projects are enabling women, freelancers, and entrepreneurs to participate in the digital economy and drive innovation.”

The minister said that 4,400 telecom sites have been deployed nationwide, strengthening connectivity for millions. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has allocated Rs. 23 billion to the fund this year, further reinforcing the government’s push for digital inclusion.

Fatima also noted past efforts under Shahbaz Sharif’s tenure, including the distribution of 1.2 million laptops and freelancing training for 4.5 million people via the DG Skills Programme.

“We need all of you—as mentors, investors, role models, and allies—to accelerate this momentum,” she told the audience.

USF CEO Mudassar Naveed reiterated the organisation’s commitment to “connecting the unconnected.” He said no new projects were launched in the past two years to prioritise timely completion of existing ones. However, technical groundwork for upcoming projects has been finalised under the direction of the IT ministry and USF board.

“Each village that comes online opens doors to global education, jobs, and community,” Naveed said. USF has now issued tenders for 16 new projects. Cities including Sialkot, Sanghar, Jhang, Sajawal, and Tando Muhammad Khan will be connected to high-speed fibre networks.

In addition, Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development (NG-BSD) projects will target areas such as Badin, Abbottabad, Kalat, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, and Khuzdar, while smaller NG-BSD projects will extend services to districts including Sargodha, Haripur, Sheikhupura, and Mansehra.