Universal
Service Fund Company (USF Co) 55th Board of Directors Meeting was convened
on Monday 20th November, 2017 in the Ministry
of Information Technology and Telecom, Islamabad.
The Chairperson, Board of Directors,
USF Co and the Minister of State for IT & Telecom; Mrs. Anusha Rahman
chaired the meeting in which an overview of the main efforts and development of
telecommunication services in un-served and under-served areas across Pakistan
by USF were taken in to the view with a special emphasis on the timely
execution of establishment of Computer labs and provision of Computer teachers
in 226 Government Girls Educational Institutions of Islamabad Capital
Territory and the special project of Empowerment of Artisans through
E-commerce.
The USF Board of Directors in this
meeting on the recommendation of the USF Co after transparent bidding process,
awarded a contract pertaining to USF Broadband for sustainable development
(BSD) Project Mohmand Lot encompassing Bajaur Agency, Mohmand Agency and
Malakand to Telenor Pakistan (Pvt) Limited. This Project benefits an un-served
population of about 1,599,500, covering 684 unserved Mauzas and an unserved
area of 3,646 sq kms. Another contract of USF Broadband for Sustainable
Development (BSD) project, DI Khan Lot encompassing DI Khan, FR D.I. Khan and
Tank was also awarded to Telenor Pakistan (Pvt) Limited. This project benefits
an unserved population of about 693,000, covering 335 unserved mauzas and an
unserved area of 9,010 sq. kms. It was also agreed that similar projects for
North Waziristan agency will soon be brought to the Board after completion of
technical surveys and appropriate planning.
Anusha Rehman directed USF
authorities to work out a proposal for establishment of 6 computer labs for
physically handicapped and visually impaired children enrolled in special
education centres being run under CADD. The Board also took in to consideration
the Human Resource Policies of USF Co. The policies have been shaped for the
better functioning and performance of the company. In additional women have been given special
advantage of working one day from home. The board further approved a day care
centre for the benefit of working parents to be jointly run by the USF and
Ignite Companies of the MoITT. All other elements of the HR policies of the
company were also revised and approved.
Board members including the
Secretary IT; Mr. Rizwan Bashir Khan, Member Telecom; Mr. Mudassar Hussain, VP
ISPs; Mr. Azfar Manzoor, Representative Consumers Group; Mr. Kaukab Iqbal
President and CEO PTCL; Dr. Daniel Ritz and the Senior Management of USF Co
also attended the meeting.
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