By Ayesha Saba

The Universal Service Fund (USF) is pushing into the next phase of Balochistan’s digital connectivity drive, with three new-access 4G projects designed to cover 296 mauzas and an estimated population of 257,723 people across four districts.

According to the latest project data available with Wealth Pakistan, the Khuzdar Lot project has advanced into active deployment after being awarded in January 2026. The project targets 144 mauzas in Khuzdar district with an estimated population of 75,637 people.

Two additional lots have been identified for Dera Bugti-Kohlu and Washuk, potentially extending connectivity to another 152 mauzas.

The Dera Bugti Lot covers Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts and targets 102 mauzas with an estimated population of 130,852 people. Its current status is listed as “No Show” in the project document.

The Washuk Lot is designed to cover 50 mauzas and an estimated population of 51,234 people, with its status also listed as “No Show”.

Together, the three proposed new-access schemes represent the next potential layer of 4G coverage expansion in underserved parts of the province, with Khuzdar currently the project that has advanced to the award stage.

The fresh projects build on USF’s wider 3G/4G programme in Balochistan, which has progressively extended telecommunications access across remote districts and settlements.

The project data show that USF has undertaken 31 access projects in Balochistan since the programme began, with 29 completed and two still in progress.

Among the ongoing schemes, the Pishin Lot has reached 50% completion. Covering Pishin, Killa Abdullah and Quetta, the project targets 378 mauzas with an estimated population of 646,620 people.

Another Khuzdar Lot under the existing access programme is at 25% completion and covers 144 mauzas with an estimated population of 75,637 people.

The broader portfolio of 27 area-based projects covers 4,168 mauzas across 31 unique districts and an estimated population of 4.616 million.

USF has also completed four separate 3G/4G projects along national highways and motorways, covering 2,140.58 kilometres of road segments across 21 Balochistan districts.

The latest new-access pipeline therefore points to continued expansion beyond the programme’s earlier footprint, with the newly awarded Khuzdar project opening the next phase.

Credit: INP-WealthPk