ISLAMABAD: Telenor has been granted a contract worth Rs1.36 billion for providing high speed broadband services in Chaghi and Nushki districts of Balochistan.
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Telenor gets contract for providing broadband services
ISLAMABAD: Telenor Pakistan has been awarded contract worth Rs555 million for providing mobile broadband services in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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Jazz awarded contract worth Rs154 million
ISLAMABAD: The Universal Service Fund (USF) has awarded contract worth around Rs154 Million to Jazz for providing High Speed Mobile Broadband services in Multan and Khanewal Districts of Southern Punjab.
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque and Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi witnessed the contract signing ceremony here on Thursday.
The contract was signed by Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO, USF with Aamir Ibrahim, CEO, Jazz.
The Federal Secretary for IT & Telecommunication and Chairman USF Board, Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput and Parliamentary Secretary, Zain Qureshi, Member Telecom Muhammad Umar Malik, Member IC Ajmal Awan and other senior officers of MoITT were also present at the ceremony.
While addressing the ceremony, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque said that, MoITT through USF has contracted projects worth approximately Rs6.5 billion to provide high speed internet to 3.8 million people in Southern Punjab.
These include six high speed mobile broadband projects and three optic fiber cable projects. According to Syed Amin Ul Haque, under these projects, we are spending a total of Rs708 million for provision of high speed broadband services in three districts of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalnagar. About 2.6 million people living in 846 villages will benefit from this. Similarly, in Dera Ghazi Khan Division, four districts DG Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur, Rs141 million is being spent. While Rs4.47 billion is being spent on three projects related to the laying of optical fiber cable.
With the completion of these projects, an area of about 2, 000 sq. km will be connected with OFC. More than 25 per cent work has been done on broadband services projects.
Completion of these projects will provide the fastest broadband services to 393 villages with a population of over 0.85 million.
While addressing the ceremony, Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that he was pleasantly surprised to hear the performance of the MoITT which is working day and night for the fulfillment of the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan vision. He thanked the Federal Minister, Syed Amin Ul Haque for initiating the development projects in Southern Punjab and said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would provide all possible assistance and support for the promotion of IT industry and showcasing of Pakistani IT products around the world because Ministry of IT is at the forefront of those sectors through which numerous job opportunities and the country’s economy can be strengthened.
Sharing his views on the development, CEO-Jazz, Aamir Ibrahim said, “Jazz has invested US$ 462 million during the last two years mainly to expand its 4G footprint in rural and semi-urban areas. This is in line with our mission to bridge the digital divide and to collaborate with the Government of Pakistan in helping realize the Digital Pakistan vision.
Today’s contract signing is a testament of our commitment to create ICT-led socioeconomic opportunities for the masses.” Earlier on his welcome address, CEO-USF, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary said: “The USF is committed in its resolve to empower the marginalized communities of Pakistan. This project will benefit an unserved population of 0.48 million in 170 unserved mauzas, thereby covering an unserved area of 1,323 sq. km. of Multan and Khanewal districts. The project will be completed in 12 months.”
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Ufone awarded contract worth Rs2.07 billion for providing mobile broadband services
ISLAMABAD: The Universal Service Fund (USF) on Friday awarded a contract amounting Rs2.07 billion to Ufone for providing high speed mobile broadband services in Kech district of Balochistan province.
Federal Minister for Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque and Federal Minister for Defence Production, Zubaida Jalal witnessed the contract signing ceremony held at the USF office.
The contract was signed by Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO, USF with Nadeem Khan, Acting CEO & Group Chief Financial Officer, Ufone. Federal Secretary for IT and Telecommunication, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui and Chairman 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. Chief Guest of the ceremony, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque said: “In light of the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital Pakistan, the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication through USF has awarded yet another project for the socio-economic betterment of the people of Balochistan.
“Through the contract being awarded today, residents of Kech district will reap the benefits of High Speed Internet in a span of 12-18 months. It is our priority to ensure that Balochistan remains at the forefront of technology development as we continue to work towards building a robust Digital Pakistan. The digital connectivity will open unprecedented new possibilities for the marginalized communities of Kech district; enhancing their ability to work and transact online and engage in the digital economy.
“I would pay my special gratitude to the Federal Minister of Defense Production, Ms. Zubaida Jalal who has played a significant role in highlighting the region for digital transformation and emphasizing on the importance of digital inclusion for the growth and prosperity of the youth.”
The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication through USF has contracted various development projects worth approximately Rs 7 billion to provide High Speed Mobile Broadband services in districts of Chagai, Noshki, Bolan, Mastung, Panjgur, Gwadar, Ziarat, Jaffarabad and Pishin.
These projects are expected to be completed within 12 to 18 months from the date of commencement.
The Federal Minister for IT also said: “Today, in this regard, it is pertinent to highlight the progress of National Highways program. The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication through USF has initiated development projects worth approximately Rs1.8 billion to provide High Speed Mobile Broadband services to commuters on all National Highways in Balochistan, thereby covering a road segment of 1,780 km. NH 10 and NH 25 is 75 percent completed whereas NH 50 and NH 70 are 50 percent completed.
Likewise, NH 25 and NH 65 are 25 percent completed. All National Highway projects will be completed within the next 6 to 9 months.”
In Balochistan, the youth are benefiting from DG Skills and Virtual University’s education programs. So far, 25,000 youngsters have completed free licensing courses amongst others through DG Skills.
Similarly, through Virtual University programs, offline centers have been established in 9 districts whereby thousands of students can access educational courses without any internet service.
Four new software technology parks are being established in Quetta, Khuzdar, Turbat and Gwadar in Balochistan where in lieu of rent, the government will give a 25 % subsidy and other facilities.
Federal Minister for IT shared that 3,500 students from Balochistan will be provided a 6 month paid internship with a monthly stipend of PKR 20,000. Other than this, new national incubation center campuses will be opened.
With the help of Ignite, new projects for the youth in research and development will be initiated as well. Syed Amin Ul Haque stated that the people of Balochistan should not be disappointed as 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. This is the reason whereby upon my instructions, Federal Secretary for IT and Telecommunication, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui and all attached departments working under our ministry undertook a tour to Quetta and apprised the Government of Balochistan regarding its development projects.
While addressing the ceremony, Federal Minister for Defence Production, Zubaida Jalal thanked the Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque and said that the Ministry of IT’s development projects for the people of Balochistan are in line with the true spirit of Digital Pakistan and will play an important role in alleviating the marginalization of Balochistan and supporting the province to come at par with the developed world.
She further said that I am sure that the development projects in Kech district will be completed timely and I assure you that the youth from these areas will be as capable in terms of skills, capabilities and digital proficiency as youngsters from urban cities.
Sharing his thoughts at the ceremony, CEO USF, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary said, “This project will benefit an unserved population of 0.34 Million, thereby covering an unserved area of 23,964 sq. km. of Kech district. Upon the directive of the Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, our focus on providing access and connectivity to the remote and far-flung areas of the country remains distinguished. In the last two years, USF has contracts projects worth over Rs21 billion.
“This project has been awarded to Ufone through a through an efficient and transparent competitive bidding process. We strive to empower the people of Balochistan and bring ease into their lives through these projects.”
Sharing his views at the ceremony, Group CFO and Acting CEO PTCL & Ufone, Nadeem Khan, said, “Ufone is dedicated to the cause of a Digital Pakistan. Our telecommunications projects in Balochistan are an attempt to make lives easier for the millions that are residing in the province.
Through this project in the Kech district of Balochistan, we aim to provide telecom services to 306 muazas of the area. This dream would have never reached fruition without the support of USF, which has been devoted to the cause of providing connectivity in far-flung areas of Pakistan.”
Senior officials of the IT Ministry, USF and Ufone were also present at the ceremony.