Islamabad, Jan 21, 2026
Pakistan has taken a fresh step toward expanding digital connectivity in underserved areas as the Universal Service Fund (USF) and telecom operator Jazz signed agreements worth Rs1.16 billion ($4.1 million) to roll out high-speed broadband services across nine districts in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said on Wednesday.
The projects form part of the government’s broader Digital Pakistan agenda, aimed at narrowing the digital divide and extending internet access to rural and remote communities. The signing ceremony, held at USF headquarters in Islamabad, was attended by Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, USF Chief Executive Mudassar Naveed, and Jazz Chief Executive Aamir Ibrahim.
Under the agreements, next-generation broadband services will be deployed in Chiniot and Abbottabad as main project areas, along with Attock, Sargodha, Khushab, Bahawalnagar, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, and Hafizabad. The rollout is expected to connect around 533,000 people across 203 rural localities, with completion timelines ranging from six to 18 months.
Addressing the ceremony, Minister Khawaja said the initiative went beyond infrastructure development and was aimed at laying the foundations of a “digital nation.” She said improved connectivity was critical for economic growth, digital services, and inclusion, adding that Pakistan was nearing the final stages of spectrum auction preparations and the launch of 5G services.
Officials said the projects align with the government’s push to accelerate digital transformation, particularly as Pakistan’s economy increasingly relies on mobile broadband for education, e-commerce, financial services, and remote work.
The minister noted that USF had approved projects worth more than Rs20.5 billion over the past six months, reflecting an accelerated pace of implementation under the Digital Pakistan framework. Additional USF-backed projects are planned for Sindh and Balochistan, she added.
USF chief Mudassar Naveed said bridging the urban-rural digital gap remained a priority, noting that more than 60% of Pakistan’s population lives in rural areas. He said the fund was expanding broadband and optical fibre infrastructure nationwide without regional or political bias.
Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim said the partnership highlighted the role of public-private collaboration in extending digital services to underserved communities. He said Jazz had already completed 36 projects with USF and would continue supporting national connectivity goals.
Since its inception, USF has invested more than Rs136 billion in broadband and optical fibre projects, connecting millions of Pakistanis and supporting the country’s transition toward a digitally enabled economy.
