The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication has concluded the interview process for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position at the Universal Service Fund (USF). Sources within the Ministry informed TaazaTaren that a total of 35 applications were received for the CEO USF role.
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The Nomination Committee, responsible for shortlisting candidates, identified 12 highly qualified individuals for the consideration of the USF Board. Following a series of comprehensive interviews, the Universal Service Board is now set to present a panel of three candidates for the final selection of the new CEO. The selected individual will serve on a contractual basis for a three-year term.
Haris Mehmood Chaudhry, the former CEO of USF, completed his four-year tenure on August 15 this year. Despite receiving an offer for a one-year extension from the IT Ministry, Chaudhry opted not to prolong his term.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry of IT and Telecom did not seek approval from the Election Commission of Pakistan for the appointment of the CEO USF. According to sources, the appointment process was initiated in the final days of the previous government.
The USF holds a pivotal role in advancing telecommunication services in underserved and remote areas across Pakistan. Under Haris Mehmood Chaudhry’s leadership over the past four years, the USF achieved significant milestones by connecting an impressive 40 million people in rural areas.
During this period, the USF successfully implemented 83 projects with a cumulative value of Rs. 77.7 billion, marking a substantial increase from the 76 projects valued at Rs. 57 billion undertaken in the preceding 13-year period.
