11 PROJECTS WORTH PKR 8.5 BILLION WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO TRANSFORM DIGITAL BALOCHISTAN, AMIN UL HAQUE

Islamabad, September 15, 2021: The Universal Service Fund (USF) awarded contract worth approximately PKR 1.36 billion to Telenor for providing high-speed mobile broadband 4G services in Chaghi and Nushki districts of Balochistan province. Federal Minister for Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque and Chairman Senate, Sadiq Sanjrani witnessed the contract signing ceremony held at the USF Office on Wednesday. The contract was signed by Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO of USF with Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO of Telenor Pakistan. The Senator, Naseebullah Bazai, Federal Secretary for IT & Telecommunication and Chairman USF Board, Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput, Chairman PTA, Major General (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa, Member Telecom,  Muhammad Omar Malik and VP for Government Sales, Super Net Limited, Imran Akhtar Shah were also present at the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Syed Amin Ul Haque, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication said, “The Digital Pakistan vision is all about bringing Pakistan closer together, ensuring that all parts of the country benefit from securing the jobs and opportunities of the future. People in Balochistan should not have to choose between their career and the way of life in their hometown. With high-speed broadband, we can ensure that people in Chaghi and Nushki districts are able to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented by the digital economy, from health care to education, rural development and tourism. This project is a stepping stone to create equality of service across the country.” Furthermore, he congratulated the teams of USF and Telenor for achieving this significant milestone.

“This project in Balochistan will benefit an unserved population of 0.16 million in 170 unserved mauzas, thereby covering an unserved area of 47,872 sq. km. of Chaghi and Nushki districts,” the minister added.

Syed Amin Ul Haque also said that following this project, the total cost of projects in 14 districts of

Balochistan has increased from PKR 8.43 billion to PKR 11 billion. The completion of these projects will benefit more than 2.2 million people in 2,024 muazas of Bolan, Jaffarabad, Mastung, Ziarat, Kech, Panjgur, Gwadar, Pishin, Qila Abdullah and surrounding areas. The Federal Minister also informed that the work of providing uninterrupted mobile services to the commuters on the highways and motorways of Balochistan is in full swing. Under which the project of providing mobile service on 701 km highway from NH25 to NH10 has been completed at a cost of PKR 759 million. While projects worth PKR 250 million on 650 km highway from NH25 to NH65 and more than PKR 410 Million on 451 km highway from NH50 to NH70 are work in progress.

While addressing the ceremony, Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman Senate spoke highly of USF and Telenor, hailing it as an exemplary Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) partnership. He said that 4G internet connectivity in Balochistan will bring tangible benefits for households, businesses, and the Government, as it connects people to information and improves the quality of life. He also highlighted the Federal Government’s resolve and commitment to promote and support the initiatives to enhance Pakistan’s technological capacity to develop and produce a globally competitive ICT industry.

Earlier, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO of USF, in his introductory remarks said, “The project’s implementation will be transformative for Balochistan, which will now be able to move forward with renewed confidence in achieving its full economic potential. We are, therefore, pleased and encouraged by this momentum and we are committed to taking it forward.”

Expressing his resolve to strengthen connectivity throughout the country, Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO of Telenor Pakistan, said, “Connecting Pakistanis to what matters the most is the reason why we at Telenor do what we do. What once was an inaccessible luxury for the people of Chaghi and Nushki districts will now become the norm. Access to critical information, services, and opportunities is only the first step in empowering communities to participate in Pakistan’s economic growth. Together with USF and Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, Telenor Pakistan is honoured to play its role in driving digital inclusion and ensuring no one is left behind in an increasingly connected world.”