USF and Wateen Pacts to Provide Fiber Optic connectivity in Balochistan

The project to provide Fiber Optic connectivity in Northern Balochistan funded by Universal Service Fund is signed by Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani. Prime Minister attended the signing ceremony.

The project was signed between Universal Service Fund and Wateen Telecom (Pvt) Limited by CEO Universal Service Fund Mr. Parvez Iftikhar and CEO Wateen Telecom (Pvt) Limited Mr. Naeem Zamindar at Chief Minister House Quetta.

The project is for laying 1,100 kms Optic Fiber Cables to connect twelve unserved far flung Tehsils (Sub-districts) of Balochistan. The project “Optic Fiber Cable Balochistan Package 4” will cover tehsil headquarters of Gulistan, Musa Khel, Barshor, Duki, Harnai, Ziarat, Sinjawi, Zhob, Sherani, Qamar Din Karez and two neighbouring tehsils of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa namely Daraban and Darazand. In addition 8 other small towns of Balochistan will also be connected.

Total estimated project cost is Rs. 2.4 billion out of which USF will provide a subsidy of Rs. 1.975 billion.

The project is part of an overall Optic Fiber Cables Programme in Balochistan which is divided into 5 projects, out of which 4 projects are under progress and the last one was signed yesterday. Under these 5 projects a total of 5,500 kms Optic Fiber Cables are being laid through USF, connecting each of the 44 unserved Tehsil Headquarters and 29 other small towns enroute. The total cost of the 5 projects is estimated to be at Rs.7.51 billion, out of which USF subsidy is 6.482 billion.

Other than Optic Fiber Cables projects, USF is also providing basic telecom services in unserved villages of Balochistan. So far 1,161 villages have either been covered or are in progress. The total estimated value of all USF projects in Balochistan for provision of Optic Fiber and Rural Telecom Services in unserved areas is Rs.9.82 billion, out of which USF subsidy is Rs. 8.23 billion.

Universal Service Fund is planning several more projects for which necessary data collection and studies are in progress.

The ceremony was also attended by Governor Balochistan Mr. Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, Chief Minister Balochistan Mr. Aslam Raisani, Provincial Minister Information Technology Ms. Shama Parveen Magsi, Provincial Minister Communication & Works Mr. Mir Mohammad Sadiq Umrani, Federal Secretary Information Technology Mr. Saeed Ahmed Khan, Additional Federal Secretary Information Technology Mr. Nadeem Ashraf, Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Dr. Muhammad Yaseen, General Manager Projects & Technology USF Syed Asif Kamal Shah and CFO Wateen Telecom Mr. Sajjeed Aslam.

[source: USF Pakistan Press Release]