TWA

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Islamabad, April 24, 2025: Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, emphasized the critical need for gender inclusion in technological development, stating that Pakistan’s progress hinges on equitable access to digital opportunities. She lauded the Universal Service Fund (USF) for its transformative role in connecting remote and underserved communities, particularly women, startups, freelancers, and digital content creators, to the wider digital economy.

Speaking at the “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation” event—held in Islamabad by USF in collaboration with Jazz to mark International Girls in ICT Day 2025—Ms. Shaza highlighted key milestones in Pakistan’s digital journey. She noted that through 161 USF projects, broadband services have been deployed in over 21,600 rural communities, impacting more than 37.1 million people across the country. This includes the installation of over 4,400 telecom sites and 17,200 kilometers of fiber optic cable, providing vital connectivity to over 1,000 previously unserved towns and Union Councils.

"Digital empowerment must be for all," she said, reflecting on the growing presence of women in Pakistan’s ICT landscape. “From top-performing female IT students to globally recognized women-led tech startups, the change is happening—and we’re here to accelerate it.” She acknowledged that the government, under Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, has distributed 1.2 million laptops and trained 4.5 million youth through the Ministry’s DG Skills freelancing program.

Ms. Shaza affirmed the Ministry's commitment to an inclusive digital future: “We are building ecosystems where women and girls can safely access, learn, and lead in technology.” The Ministry, she added, is driving policy and infrastructure that support digital literacy, innovation, and inclusive growth. This year alone, Rs. 23 billion in funding has been allocated to USF to continue expanding connectivity.

The event was attended by a distinguished lineup of leaders and stakeholders, including Parliamentary Secretary Sabeen Ghori, MNA Sharmila Faruqui, USF CEO Ch. Mudassar Naveed, CEO Mobilink Microfinance Bank Mr. Haaris Mahmood, and GSMA Country Lead Ms. Saira Faisal, along with several notable female entrepreneurs and academics from the ICT sector.

In his remarks, Ch. Mudassar Naveed highlighted USF’s upcoming efforts. “We are moving forward with 16 newly tendered projects,” he announced. These include Next Generation Optical Fiber Cable (NG-OFC) deployments in areas like Sialkot, Sanghar, Jhang, Sajawal, and Tando Muhammad Khan, and Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development (NG-BSD) projects in multiple districts across Pakistan, such as Badin, Kalat, Gujranwala, and Kohat.

Panel discussions further enriched the event, with sessions titled “Girls in ICT – From Access to Transformation” and “Digital Skills – Gateway to Empowerment.” Speakers including Sarah Qureshi (CEO, Aero Engine Craft), Yumna Majeed (Founder, Exploration-Cosmos), Saira Faisal (GSMA), and Sharmila Faruqui (MNA) shared perspectives on how enabling digital spaces can unlock opportunities for women and bridge the gender divide in ICT.

“Let’s build a Pakistan where every girl can realize her digital dreams and where empowerment is not an aspiration but a reality,” concluded Ms. Shaza Fatima.