July 9, 2021 ISLAMABAD: The government has awarded Rs6.5 billion worth of projects to provide high-speed internet to 3.8 million people in southern Punjab, IT minister said on Thursday. These include six high speed mobile broadband projects and three optic fiber cable projects, Minister for IT and Telecommunication Amin Ul Haque said the ministry of information technology contracted projects, through Universal Service Fund (USF). The fund was established and managed by the government with contribution of 1.5 percent from telecom operators to expand telecom outreach. “Under these projects, we are spending a total of Rs708 million for provision of high speed broadband services in three districts of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalnagar,” Haque said. “About 2.6 million people living in 846 villages will benefit from this. Similarly, in Dera Ghazi Khan Division, four districts DG Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur, Rs141 million is being spent. While Rs4.47 billion is being spent on three projects related to the laying of optical fiber cable.”