Islamabad: Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, led the 50th Universal Service Fund (USF) Policy Committee meeting and the 44th Ignite Policy Committee meeting, where substantial budgets for the fiscal year 2024-25 were approved for both entities.

According to Press Information Department, during the USF Policy Committee gathering at the Ministry of IT, which included Secretary IT Azfar Manzoor, the committee sanctioned a budget of Rs. 23 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25. Additionally, the first quarter budget of Rs. 5.5 billion was also greenlit for release to USF Company. Chaudhary Mudassar Naveed, Chief Executive Officer of USF, updated the meeting attendees on the ongoing and upcoming projects under the USF banner.

In a subsequent meeting, Shaza Fatima also presided over the 44th Ignite Policy Committee meeting. The committee there approved a budget allocation of Rs. 3.960 billion for Ignite for the fiscal year 2024-25 and consented to the release of the first quarter budget amounting to Rs. 639.87 million to Ignite. Details on current and future initiatives of Ignite were also shared with the committee members during this session.

These meetings underscore the continued focus on enhancing IT and telecommunications infrastructure and educational programs in the region, ensuring sustained financial support for technological advancement and innovation.