USF Spends Over $1 Billion on Telecom Projects in Pakistan

The Universal Service Fund (USF) has deployed more than $1 billion in contracted subsidies to expand telecom connectivity across the country, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced on Tuesday.

Speaking at an international symposium on digital transformation in Islamabad, Khawaja said USF Pakistan had deployed $1.054 billion in contracted subsidies. The fund has completed 158 of its 185 awarded projects, using more than Rs. 169 billion in subsidies and directly benefiting over 38.4 million people, according to USF CEO Ch. Mudassar Naveed.

The three day symposium, co hosted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, USF Pakistan and the Asia Pacific Telecommunity, brings together government officials, regulators and telecom industry representatives to discuss digital inclusion and connectivity across the region.

Discussions are focusing on expanding fiber broadband, satellite connectivity, affordable smartphones and the use of artificial intelligence in rural areas. APT Secretary General Dr. Masanori Kondo called for more flexible and results-focused universal service frameworks to address digital exclusion.

The symposium runs from October 13 to 15 in Islamabad, with sessions covering broadband infrastructure, connectivity affordability, digital inclusion, disaster resilience and regional policy recommendations.