NEWS

Federal Secretary Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui chaired 67th meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) of Universal Service Fund Company (USF Co) on Friday. Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Maj Gen (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa was also present in the meeting. The Board approved award of contracts to Telenor Pakistan for Tharparkar and Malir Lots and to PMCL (Jazz) for DG Khan Lot under NG-BSD (Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development) Programme. Tharparkar Lot is a desert and has the lowest human development index in Sindh and this project will give a major boost in generating economic activity in the area. Similarly, Malir is one of the remotest areas in Karachi pockets and Hi-speed broadband connectivity will provide access to its residents who unfortunately could not benefit from these services earlier. Moreover, Southern Punjab comprises one of the most deprived areas in the country, but NG-BSD project will now empower the locals and will make their lives better. Through these projects 1.8 Million Population in Tharparkar (Districts of MirpurKhas and Tharparkar and 462 mauzas; area of 20,149 sq/kms ), around 11,000 in Malir (26 mauzas, area of 844 sq/kms) and 1.17 Million people in DG Khan (Districts of DG Khan and Layyah and 819 mauzas; area of 12,174 sq/kms) will be benefitted. A subsidy of PKR 1.77 Billion in total for all three projects will be provided. During the meeting, Chairman of the board/Secretary IT was of the view that these projects were integral in betterment of areas in Southern Punjab and interior Sindh. He added that these projects will play a vital role in providing e-services which involve better access to education and healthcare facilities. He further said that NG-BSD programme is going to make a huge contribution in socio-economic development of Pakistan and in improving the lives of citizen of the country. USF Management also informed the Board about Optic Fiber Cable to Union Councils programme. Chairman of the Board/Secretary IT and Board Members stressed the need of providing optic fiber for better access to ICT services in the country and also directed USF Co. to expedite the process for implementation of Optic Fiber to Union Councils Programme. They also added that Optic Fiber connectivity is essential for bridging the digital divide in Pakistan and is considered digital highway across the globe for paving the way to provide ICT services. Moreover, Optic Fiber opens the avenues for access to digital apps and guarantees their maximum utilization. Board Members emphasized on its importance and gave directions for sound and efficient implementation of this programme. Shabahat Ali Shah, CEO-NITB; Irfan Wahab, CEO-Telenor Cluster Head for Emerging Asia and Nominee of Mobile Cellular Operators; Imran Akhtar Shah, VP for Government Sales, Super Net Pvt Ltd and Nominee of Data Licensees; Rashid Khan, CEO PTCL and Nominee of Fixed Line Operators; Kaukab Iqbal, Chairman, Consumer Association of Pakistan and Nominee of Consumer Group and management of USF Co. attended the meeting.