USF approves Rs32.9bn budget for 4G expansion

USF approves Rs32.9bn budget for 4G expansion

The Universal Service Fund (USF) policy committee has approved a Rs32.90 billion budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, while moving ahead with 15 4G projects aimed at expanding connectivity to 3.66 million people across 1,893 mauzas in 21 districts.

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja chaired the committee meeting, where USF Chief Executive Officer Mudassar Naveed and senior officials presented the organisation’s programme portfolio and budget priorities.

The committee earmarked Rs24.89 billion for payments related to ongoing projects and allocated Rs6.56 billion for new initiatives. It also approved Rs5.57 billion for the first quarter to ensure timely implementation of the programmes.

USF currently manages 28 projects, including 17 Next Generation Broadband Service Delivery (NG-BSD) schemes and 11 Next Generation Optical Fibre Network Services (NG-OFNS) projects. The new budget includes nine additional NG-BSD projects, four NG-OFNS projects and block funding for small lots aimed at connecting remote settlements.

According to official project data, the 15 contracted 4G schemes carry a combined subsidy of Rs14.008 billion and target a population of 3.66 million.

The Kurram project has reached 75% completion and covers 40 mauzas with a target population of 251,980. The project carries a subsidy of Rs92.25 million.

Five projects — Pishin, Chiniot, Abbottabad, Badin and Kohat — have reached 50% completion. The Pishin project covers Pishin, Killa Abdullah and Quetta, spanning 306 mauzas and targeting 574,545 people with a subsidy of Rs1.32 billion.

The Chiniot project covers 117 mauzas and 333,267 people, while Abbottabad covers 61 mauzas and 157,473 people. Badin covers 144 mauzas and 432,666 people, while Kohat, including the former Frontier Region Kohat, covers 24 mauzas and 41,404 people.

Umar Kot and Khuzdar projects have reached 25% completion. Umar Kot covers 142 mauzas and 243,695 people with a Rs914.61 million subsidy. Khuzdar covers 144 mauzas and 75,637 people and has the highest subsidy among the projects at around Rs2.945 billion.

Work is also progressing on projects in Gujranwala, Muzaffargarh, Mansehra, Haripur, Rajanpur and Sujawal, along with Small Lot P-15.

The projects form part of the government’s efforts to expand 4G access, improve digital services and create new connectivity-based opportunities in underserved communities.