The Special Communication Organization (SCO) has demanded Rs 2.670 billion for four projects under the Public Sector Development Programm (PSDP) for next fiscal year 2026-27.
According to official documents, the funding request includes Rs 298.75 million for one ongoing project and Rs 2.371 billion for three new initiatives aimed at strengthening telecom infrastructure, particularly in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
Under its ongoing 2024–2027 cellular expansion phase, the project carries an estimated total cost of nearly Rs 1.997 billion, with around Rs 298.9 million projected for fiscal year 2027 alone. Officials state that physical progress has reached approximately 40 percent, while financial utilisation stands close to 19 percent.
The government is prioritizing expansion of mobile coverage, hybrid power deployment for telecom towers, and connectivity in remote and underserved regions. These efforts are expected to improve service quality, increase tele-density, and support tourism and economic activity in mountainous areas.
Among the new proposals is a convergent billing system project (2025–2028), estimated at Rs 1.888 billion. The system aims to unify billing for cellular, WLL, LDI, cloud, and FTTH services under one platform, potentially supporting up to four million subscribers. Officials say the initiative will modernize SCO’s operational framework and enhance customer experience.
Another key project, valued at Rs 870 million, focuses on hybrid power solutions for telecom sites between 2024 and 2028. The goal is to ensure uninterrupted communication services in far-flung regions while reducing operational costs through energy-efficient systems.
A major new initiative planned for 2026–2029, costing Rs 2.5 billion, includes the installation of 32 new cellular sites and service expansion in tourist hotspots and unserved localities across AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Officials maintain that these projects are critical to bridging the digital divide and improving connectivity in strategically important and geographically challenging regions of the country.