The Universal Service Fund (USF), under the auspices of the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication (MoITT), has approved a new series of rural connectivity projects aimed at delivering high-speed broadband internet to underserved and remote regions across Pakistan. These projects represent a significant step toward achieving universal digital access and reducing the urban-rural digital divide by extending fiber-optic and 4G mobile networks to thousands of unserved villages and towns.
Approved in the latest meeting of the USF Board, the initiatives will leverage public-private partnerships to deploy digital infrastructure in designated rural areas of Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Key focuses include last-mile connectivity, community internet centers, and mobile broadband expansion, ensuring that residents gain affordable access to e-government services, telemedicine, online education, and digital livelihood opportunities.
These projects align with the Government of Pakistan’s Digital Pakistan Vision and the National Broadband Policy, which prioritize inclusive growth through connectivity. By enabling internet access in remote and marginalized communities, USF aims to foster socio-economic development, enhance financial inclusion, and empower local populations with the tools needed to participate in the digital economy.
“The approval of these rural connectivity projects marks another milestone in our mission to leave no citizen behind in the digital age. Through strategic investments in infrastructure, we are committed to transforming remote communities into connected, empowered, and productive hubs of national progress,” stated a senior official at the Universal Service Fund.
Implementation is scheduled to begin in early 2025, with telecom operators and internet service providers partnering with USF to ensure timely and quality rollout.
