USF awards contract to Ufone for the provision of mobile broadband services in the Kech district
The contract was signed by Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO, USF with Nadeem Khan, acting CEO and CFO of Ufone. Federal Secretary for IT and Telecommunications, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui and Chairman of PTA, Maj-Gen (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa were also present at the ceremony.
Sector Commander South, Brigadier Atif Bin Saeed and senior government officials from Turbat virtually attended the ceremony.
Syed Amin Ul Haque, spokesperson for the Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications, said during the ceremony: “In light of the vision of the Prime Minister of Digital Pakistan, the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications has awarded another project by USF for the socio-economic improvement of the people of Balochistan.
Through the contract awarded today, residents of the Kech district will reap the benefits of high-speed internet within 12 to 18 months.
It is our priority to ensure that Balochistan stays at the forefront of technology development as we continue to work towards building a robust digital Pakistan.
The digital connection offers unprecedented new possibilities for the marginalized communities of the Kech district; improving their ability to work online and transact and engage with the digital economy.
The Minister also expressed special thanks to the Federal Minister of Defense, Zubaida Jalal, who played an important role in emphasizing the region for digital transformation and emphasizing the importance of digital inclusion for the growth and prosperity of youth.
‘The Ministry of IT and Telecommunications has contracted by USF various development projects worth about R7 billion to provide high-speed mobile broadband services in Chagai, Noshki, Bolan, Mastung, Panjgur, Gwadar, Ziarat, Jaffarabad and Pishin districts. “These projects are expected to be completed within 12 to 18 months from the start date,” he said.
The Federal Minister for IT also said: ‘It is important in this regard today to highlight the progress made with the national highway program.
The USF Ministry of IT and Telecommunications has initiated development projects worth approximately Rs 1.8 billion to provide high-speed mobile broadband services to commuters on all national highways in Balochistan, thus covering 1,780 km of roads. NH 10 and NH 25 are 75% complete, while NH 50 and NH 70 are 50% complete.
Similarly, NH 25 and NH 65 25% are complete. All national highway projects will be completed within the next 6 to 9 months.
In Balochistan, youth benefit from DG Skills and Virtual University training programs. To date, 25,000 young people have completed free licensing courses through DG Skills, among others.
Similarly, through virtual university programs, offline centers have been established in 9 districts through which thousands of students can access educational courses without any internet service.
Four new software technology parks are being set up in Quetta, Khuzdar, Turbat and Gwadar in Balochistan, but instead of renting, the government will provide 25% subsidy and other facilities.
The Federal Minister of IT announced that 3,500 Balochistan students are receiving a 6-month paid internship, with a monthly allowance of Rs 20,000. In addition, new national incubation center campuses will be opened. With the help of Ignite, new projects for the youth in research and development will also be started.
Syed Amin Ul Haque said that the people of Balochistan should not be disappointed because we are working very hard for the development of Balochistan.
The Prime Minister is very clear in his vision that there is no national progress without progress in Balochistan.
That is why the Federal Secretary for IT and Telecommunications, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui and all affiliated departments working under our ministry, have taken a tour of Quetta and approved the Government of Balochistan regarding its development projects.
Zubaida Jalal, Federal Minister of Defense Production, resigned during the speech of the Federal Minister of IT and Telecommunications, Syed Amin Ul Haque, and said that the development projects of the Ministry of IT for the people of Balochistan are in line with the true spirit of Digital Pakistan. and will play an important role in easing the marginalization of Balochistan and supporting the province to be on a par with the developed world.
She further said that the development projects in the Kech district will be completed on time.
Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO of USF, shared his thoughts during the ceremony, saying: ‘This project will benefit an unattended population of 0.34 million and cover an unattended area of 23,964 square km. of the district of Kech. Based on the mandate of the Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications, we continue to focus on providing access and connection to the remote and remote areas of the country.
Over the past two years, USF has projects worth more than R21 billion. This project has been awarded to Ufone through an efficient and transparent competitive bidding process. We strive to empower the people of Balochistan and make their lives easier through these projects ”.
Nadeem Khan, Group Chief Financial Officer and Acting CEO, PTCL & Ufone, Nadeem Khan, shared his view, saying: “Ufone is committed to the cause of a digital Pakistan.
Our telecommunications projects in Balochistan are an effort to make the lives of the millions of inhabitants of the province easier. Through this project, in the Kech district of Balochistan, we aim to provide telecommunications services to 306 muazas in the area.
This dream would never have come true without the support of USF, which is dedicated to the cause of connection in remote areas of Pakistan. “
Senior officials from the IT Ministry, USF and Ufone were also present at the ceremony.
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