The Universal Service Fund (USF) has signed contracts worth Rs. 1.16 billion with Jazz to provide high-speed broadband internet in nine underserved districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The project aims to connect more than 533,000 people living in rural areas within a period of six to eighteen months, supporting the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan vision.
The signing ceremony was held at the USF Head Office in Islamabad and was attended by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja as the chief guest.
The agreements were signed by USF CEO Chaudhry Mudassar Naveed and Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim for four Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development projects.
Speaking at the event, the minister said the government was building the foundation of a “Digital Nation,” not just awarding contracts.
She highlighted growth in IT exports, global tech partnerships, and shared that preparations for a spectrum auction and future 5G launch were underway.
Under the project, broadband services will be extended to Chiniot in Punjab and Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while smaller areas including Attock, Sargodha, Khushab, Bahawalnagar, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura and Hafizabad will also be covered. A total of 203 rural mauzas will benefit.
USF has approved over Rs20.54 billion in projects in the last six months and plans to launch more initiatives in Sindh and Balochistan.
Officials said the goal is to ensure fast, transparent execution and nationwide digital inclusion.