Punjab broadband expansion project faces delay: World Bank
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank’s USD70 million Connected Punjab Programme has yet to become effective, with financing and implementation agreements still unsigned, delaying key institutional and regulatory preparations for expanding broadband access, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled public services and cashless transactions in the province. According to the Bank’s document, the programme has…
The World Bank's USD70 million Connected Punjab Programme, aimed at expanding broadband access, AI-enabled public services, and cashless transactions in Punjab, remains delayed due to unsigned financing and implementation agreements. While the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) has approved the program's focus on improving broadband connectivity and digital service delivery, critical preparatory measures including financing and implementation agreements have not been signed.
The programme, which aims to increase broadband coverage from 7.8 million to 9.9 million by July 2031, targets 82 urbanized areas for broadband expansion and seeks to reduce the average processing time for right-of-way permits from 90 days to 21 days. The digital service delivery component faces a significant institutional agenda, requiring the establishment of an AI Oversight Committee by June 2027, development of a provincial AI-for-service-delivery roadmap by December 2027, and adoption of data governance and cybersecurity strategies by December 2027.
The cashless transactions component aims to bring 350,000 people onto cashless payments by June 2031, with specific targets including 105,000 women and 157,500 young people. Despite being approved on June 30, 2026, the programme's progress towards development objectives and overall implementation is rated as "moderately satisfactory," with the World Bank assessing the overall risk as moderate.
As of the reporting period, the financing for the program is reported as not effective, and no disbursements have been made.
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