Rs124.2bn spent to improve telecoms infrastructure: minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Thursday said that a total of Rs 124.2 billion from the Universal Service Fund (USF) has been utilised across the provinces to strengthen telecommunication infrastructure and expand digital access in underserved and remote areas.

In written reply to a questions asked by MPs in National Assembly, she said that Rs 52.31 billion funds utilized in Balochistan, Rs 26.032 billion in Punjab, Rs 24.23 billion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rs 20.203 billion in Sindh, Rs 1.016 billion in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Rs 409.9 million in multiple provinces.

In another written reply, the minister said that during the first five months of financial year 2025-26 (July-November), Information and Communication Techno-logy(ICT) export remittances surged 18.5 percent, reaching USD 1.799 billion compared to USD 1.518 billion achieved during the corresponding period last year (FY 2024-25).

She said that the ICT industry achieved a trade surplus of USD 1.583 billion, which constituted 88 percent of total ICT export remittances during the first five months of FY 2025-26. This surplus reflects a 18.3 percent increase from USD 1.33 billion (1,338 million) in the corresponding period last year. She said that USD 1.799 billion in ICT export remittances during July to November 2025 is by far the highest among all services sectors, with “other business services” following at USD 816 million.

The minister said that Pakistan’s ICT Industry has achieved a Cumulative Annual Exports Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.5 percent over the past five years (FY21- FY25). She said that Pakistan’s ICT sector’s robust performance underscores the growing significance of the ICT sector in Pakistan’s economic landscape with ICT industry which consistently delivers the largest exports earnings as well the largest trade surplus with in the services sector of Pakistan’s economy.

Meanwhile, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary informed the National Assembly that billions of dollars in investment have been attracted to the country as a result of the efforts of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

During question hour session of the National Assembly that this investment has come in different sectors.

He said initiatives such as Investment Policy and Revised Visa policy were taken by the federal government through SIFC in order to improve investment ecosystem and transparency.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026