Tharparkar and Gwadar districts will get high-speed internet and mobile services after the completion of two projects recently launched by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MOITT). The announcement was made by the Federal Minster for IT and Telecommunications Syed Amin ul Haq in Islamabad on Sunday. The total cost of the projects to the Federal Government will be PKR 1 billion.

Contracts have been awarded to Telenor and Ufone by the Universal Service Fund (USF) on the directions of the MOITT. The exact costs of the projects will be PKR 1.06 billion and the main target of the projects are the underprivileged people of Sindh and Balochistan provinces.

“Government of Pakistan understands the importance of mobile and broadband services. We are working diligently to provide these services in both urban and rural areas where previously these services have not penetrated. OFC, broadband and other connectivity projects are high on the government’s agenda,” the minister said.

The project in Tharparker will meet the needs of 72,000 people covering a total area of 10,432 sq. kms. The total cost of Tharparker’s project will be PKR 870 million and it will be completed in 18 months. Similarly, the project for Gwadar will provide services to 15,000 people, covering an area of 19 villages with a total cost of PKR 188.1 million.

“Internet connectivity has become a necessary good for daily lives across the world. It is very important that the people from under-privileged and under-represented areas of the country are provided with this facility. They will be able to utilize many of the opportunities provided by the digital world. They can use these technologies to make their lives easier and to improve their businesses,” Amin said.

The Federal Minister for IT congratulated the USF Board of Directors, its Chairman, Additional Secretary of MOITT Mohsin Mushtaq Chandna, and CEO of Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary for successfully launching these projects.

He said, “with the completion of these projects of providing broadband services in the under-served areas of the country under the USF expanding Connectivity Network, the performance of the USF is being appreciated globally. GSMA Asia Pacific and ITU has praised USF's structure and project methodology in this regard.”

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk