ISLAMABAD – Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication is fully committed to providing telecom services to under and un-served ‘Mauzas’ across the country to bring the nation on the path of Technology evolution and prosperity.
Ministry of Information and telecommunication (MoIT) would utilize funds being generated under Universal Service Fund for providing IT and Telecom services in un-served and far-flung areas on priority, Ministry official said.
He said through the projects 3G mobile broadband services would be provided in the areas of Mohmand, Bajaur, and Malakand, having the population of 1,599,500 residing in 684 muzas.
While giving details, he told that in Khyber lot, 3G mobile broadband services were being provided in the areas of Khyber Agency, FR Kohat (Tribal Area Adjacent Kohat), FR Peshawar, Kohat, Karak and Hangu, the areas consist of the population of 1,751,600 residing in 503 muzas.
An un-served population of about 196,177, covering 269 un-served mauzas and an un-served area of 39,434 sq km will get modern broadband facilities through this project.
The project would cover Awaran, Jhal Jao and Mashkai tehsils/sub-tehsils of Awaran district and Bela, Lakhra, Liari, Uthal, Dureji, Hub, Sonmiani and Kanraj of Lasbel district, he added.
Ministry of IT has also started projects for Balochistan worth Rs 26 billion to provide the 3G service to the people of the province to connect the unconnected.
In the history of IT of Pakistan, this is the biggest investment, that is for Balochistan, which aims to target hundreds of villages to connect with 3G service.
Due to the provision of 3G services in Balochistan, other services like Careem would be started in Balochistan which is a great achievement of Ministry of Information Technology.
He said, Ministry has taken Balochistan as a priority to provide telecom services and these services will include the provision of both voice and data facilities under 3G licenses.
The telecom sector is the most important one for speedy development, particularly for rural areas. 1.5% of telecom licensed companies contribute to the country’s revenue through the USF.
Among the telecom operators of Pakistan, Ufone was able to win the most from the 12 projects. Ufone has been awarded projects worth Rs. 14.2 billion in various cities of the province which includes Sibi, Kalat, Khuzdar, Chagai, Awaran, Kharan-Washuk and Dera Bugti districts.
Government is making all-out efforts to introduce 5G technology in Pakistan by 2020 to bring it at par with Developed economies in term of technology advancements.
