Policy committee approves Rs33bn budget for Universal Service Fund

The Policy Committee of the Universal Service Fund (USF), led by Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has approved a budget of Rs32.90 billion for 2026-27. The primary objective of this funding is to enhance digital connectivity in unserved and underserved regions of the country. The committee also authorized the release of the first-quarter allocation of Rs5.57 billion to USF to support the execution of the approved program.

USF CEO Mudassar Naveed, along with senior management, presented the proposed program portfolio and budgetary priorities for the fiscal year 2027 to the committee. The approved budget is divided into Rs24.89 billion for ongoing projects and Rs6.56 billion for new initiatives. Currently, there are 28 projects in progress, consisting of 17 Next Generation Broadband Service Delivery (NG-BSD) mobile broadband projects and 11 Next Generation Optical Fibre Network Services (NG-OFNS) projects.

The new allocation includes nine NG-BSD and four NG-OFNS projects, along with block allocations for small lots under both programs. This decision underscores the government's commitment to extending telecom and broadband infrastructure to areas in dire need of connectivity. Through continued investment and targeted efforts, the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication and USF are dedicated to narrowing the digital divide, promoting digital inclusion, and augmenting telecom connectivity across remote and underserved regions of the country.