PBM, NTC Agree To Strengthen Digital Connectivity For Vulnerable Communities

Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) and the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) on Tuesday agreed to strengthen institutional cooperation to improve PBM’s nationwide digital connectivity and ensure reliable and sustainable communication services for its programmes serving vulnerable and underprivileged communities

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2026) Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) and the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) on Tuesday agreed to strengthen institutional cooperation to improve PBM’s nationwide digital connectivity and ensure reliable and sustainable communication services for its programmes serving vulnerable and underprivileged communities.

The agreement was formalised through the signing of a Document of Intent (DoI) at PBM headquarters, paving the way for a formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two organisations.

Managing Director PBM, Senator Capt. Shaheen Khalid Butt and Managing Director NTC Maj. Gen. (retd) Ali Farhan signed the document at a ceremony attended by officials from both organisations.

The framework aimed to strengthen PBM’s connectivity infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted technical support and operational sustainability for its nationwide services.

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Shaheen Khalid Butt said reliable technology and communication services had become essential for the effective delivery of PBM’s programmes across the country.

He said PBM was a mission-driven public-sector organisation serving widows, orphans, patients, students, persons with disabilities and other deserving segments of society.

“Every rupee we save on operational costs goes directly to a beneficiary; a widow, an orphan, a patient or a student,” he said, adding that favourable terms from NTC would ultimately benefit the people relying on PBM’s programmes.

The PBM managing director requested NTC to consider subsidised or concessional rates for internet connectivity, point-to-point links, email and web hosting, and cloud services, describing these facilities as essential operational infrastructure for PBM rather than administrative conveniences.

He said uninterrupted digital services were vital for ensuring continuous delivery of assistance to beneficiaries across the country.

Senator Shaheen Khalid Butt also expressed his commitment to aligning PBM’s objectives with the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Uraan Pakistan initiative.

Maj. Gen. (retd) Ali Farhan appreciated PBM’s social welfare services and its efforts to promote digitalisation and e-governance to improve transparency and efficiency.

He assured PBM of NTC’s technical support and said the corporation would work towards establishing a long-term framework for collaboration, including the provision of connectivity services on subsidised rates.

Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation and coordination, with the broader objective of strengthening digital infrastructure and supporting the effective delivery of services to Pakistan’s most vulnerable and deserving citizens.