Shams ul Nisa

The Universal Service Fund (USF) aims to promote the development of telecom services in underserved areas of Pakistan, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication (IT&T) Syed Amin ul Haque told WealthPK. “Under the USF, a total of 83 projects worth PKR81 billion have been launched in the prime focused areas of Balochistan, KP, FATA, interior Punjab and interior Sindh. These areas lacked technological deployment and internet facilities before,” he said. Amin said in just four years a total of PKR81 billion has been invested in the underserved areas for broadband digital service. These projects will directly benefit more than 30 million individuals in underserved and underdeveloped areas once completed shortly, he added.

“The projects cover areas of Gwadar, complete Balochistan belt, highways, and the motorway, which is being built under the CPEC, and tourist areas which people don’t visit due to lack of internet service,” the minister said. Every project’s timeline is different because of strategic location of the areas. In Balochistan, work is only done for six months in a year because of heavy snowfall. Some projects take 18 months to complete. Normally, 12 to 18 months are required to complete them.

“Connectivity in these areas would impact the economy positively. Last year, the Northern Areas received over six million domestic visitors. These connectivity projects would benefit almost 40 million people after completion,” Amin told WealthPK. As Balochistan transports its dates, fruits, mussels, and coal to Karachi, digital inclusion, such as financial transaction, advertisement, and international connectivity, would promote businesses directly from the suppliers or farmers to the buyers. This will remove the middle man role in the transaction, boosting local well-being.

It will have a great impact on freelancing as well. The youth can take skill training online and sell their services internationally. Freelancing would also be a source of foreign exchange earnings for the country. To bridge the digital divide and empower women in areas where they face difficulties in working outside their homes, the USF and telecom projects aim to provide internet access and connectivity. This would enable these women to access more opportunities and become more financially independent.

Credit: INP-WealthPk