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World Bank Approves $70 Million Loan for Internet Project in Punjab The World Bank has approved a $70 million loan for Punjab’s Connected Punjab Program, which aims to expand broadband internet access, improve digital public services, and promote cashless payments across the province. According to the World Bank, the project will support Punjab’s digital transformation by improving internet connectivity, expanding digital government services, and encouraging greater private sector investment in digital infrastructure. The financing will come through the International Development Association (IDA) and is part of a broader $278 million program, with the Punjab government contributing $208 million. ALSO READ Pakistan Returns to Expensive LNG Market for Another Urgent Delivery One of the project’s main goals is to reduce regulatory hurdles that slow broadband expansion. The program aims to cut the average Right of Way permit processing time from 90 days to 21 days, helping increase fixed broadband coverage from 7.8 million people to 9.9 million by June 2031. It is also expected to attract at least $50 million in private investment in digital infrastructure. The project will also stren…

World Bank Okays $700M Support for Pakistan - Digital Pakistan The World Bank has approved $700 million under PRID-MPA to bolster Pakistan’s fiscal stability and improve service delivery. The program targets federal reforms and provincial initiatives in Sindh to strengthen revenues and public institutions. Read more:World Bank Urges Pakistan to Reform Trade The World Bank has sanctioned $700 million in fresh financing for Pakistan, aimed at stabilizing the economy and enhancing public services. The funding, part of the Public Resources for Inclusive Development — Multiphase Programmatic Approach (PRID-MPA), could scale up to $1.35 billion over time. Of the current allocation, $600 million will support federal reforms, while $100 million is earmarked for Sindh. World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar emphasized the importance of mobilizing domestic resources efficiently, noting that the program will ensure predictable funding for schools, clinics, and climate initiatives. Lead economist Tobias Akhtar Haque added that PRID-MPA introduces a coordinated reform strategy to expand fiscal space, strengthen revenue administration, and improve budget execution. Federal measures…

Pakistan: New Support for Punjab's Digital ... - World Bank Group WASHINGTON, June 30, 2026 - The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors today approved US$70 million for the Connected Punjab Program to help Pakistan's Punjab province expand broadband internet access, improve digital service delivery, and enhance cashless transactions. The program is designed to operate in tandem with Pakistan's broader national digital agenda. The federal government is investing in national digital public infrastructure through the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP). The Connected Punjab Program builds directly on these foundations, ensuring that national platforms, policies, and connectivity investments translate into tangible benefits for Punjab's citizens and businesses. “Digital connectivity is no longer a luxury, it is the infrastructure of opportunity”, said Bolormaa Amgaabazar, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan . “ The federal government has laid out a bold vision for Pakistan's digital future, and Connected Punjab is how that vision reaches the doorsteps of millions of people across the province. By expanding broadband access and strengthening Punjab's digital backbone, t…

$150 Million World Bank Loan to Punjab to Improve Financial ... WASHINGTON, September 19, 2022 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a loan of $150 million to the northern Indian state of Punjab to help the state better manage its financial resources and improve access to public services. The Punjab: Building Fiscal and Institutional Resilience Program will support the state's efforts to strengthen the institutional capabilities of various government departments, manage fiscal risks and make informed policy choices to support sustainable growth. Punjab's growth has been below potential. A combination of fiscal challenges and institutional capacity constraints means that scarce resources are spread thin across development priorities. The new project will support the state's development goals by strengthening the planning, budgeting and monitoring functions, and leveraging digital technology. The project will also aim to increase accountability in the public procurement systems by supporting state-wide implementation of new legal and policy reforms. "The World Bank is pleased to be a partner of the state of Punjab in the state’s effort to deliver timely, cos…

World Bank approves $70mn for Connected Punjab Business & Finance World Bank approves $70mn for Connected Punjab Program to boost broadband access, digital services, and cashless transactions for millions Published July 1, 2026 Updated July 1, 2026 01:04pm Save Saved 3 min Summary new comment Comments AI Overview (with editorial review) Brief AI Generated summary The World Bank approved $70 million for the Connected Punjab Program to expand broadband, enhance digital public services, and promote cashless transactions in Pakistan's Punjab province. Read the full article for: Expanding broadband internet access in Punjab province. Improving digital public services and AI-enabled government tools. Promoting cashless transactions and digital payment infrastructure. Facilitating private sector investment in digital infrastructure. Increasing women's access to digital government services. By Tahir Amin Add BRecorder as a trusted source on Google ISLAMABAD: The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved $70 million for the Connected Punjab Program to help Pakistan’s Punjab province expand broadband internet access, improve digital service delivery, and enhance cashless transactio…

World Bank Approves $70 Million for Connected Punjab Digital Program The World Bank (WB) has approved $70 million in financing for the Connected Punjab Program, aimed at expanding broadband internet access, improving digital public services, and promoting cashless transactions across the province. The funding, approved by the Board of Executive Directors of WB, forms part of a larger $278 million investment package, with the Government of Punjab contributing $208 million in counterpart funding. The program is designed to complement the national digital agenda of Pakistan, including the federally led Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP), by translating national platforms and connectivity investments into direct benefits for the residents and businesses. A central component of the program targets regulatory and cost barriers that currently discourage private investment in broadband infrastructure, particularly in underserved urban areas. By cutting average Right-of-Way permitting times from 90 days to 21 days, the program aims to expand private sector fixed broadband coverage from 7.8 million to 9.9 million people by June 2031, bringing an additional 2.1 million people onl…

World Bank approves $70m for Connected Punjab - Pakistan Today The World Bank has approved a $70 million loan for Punjab’s Connected Punjab Programme to expand broadband, improve digital services and promote cashless payments. The wider investment package is valued at $278 million, including Punjab government funding. News Desk July 1, 2026 ISLAMABAD: The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $70 million loan for Punjab’s Connected Punjab Programme, aimed at widening broadband access, improving delivery of digital public services and promoting cashless transactions in the province. According to a World Bank statement, the programme is intended to work alongside Pakistan’s wider national digital agenda. The statement said the federal government is investing in national digital public infrastructure through the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (Deep), while the Connected Punjab Programme is designed to build on that base so that national platforms, policies and connectivity investments produce practical benefits for people and businesses in Punjab. World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Bolormaa Amgaabazar said digital connectivity had become essential i…

World Bank approves $70m loan for Connected Punjab Programme aimed at improving digital infrastructure <p>ISLAMABAD: The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank has approved a $70 million loan for Pakistan’s <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="link--external" href="https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099030226095532955/pdf/P513786-f209f65b-c576-45b0-bd58-2e851961d65e.pdf">Connected Punjab Programme</a> (CPP) to help the province expand broadband internet access, improve digital service delivery, and enhance cashless transactions.</p> <p>A World Bank statement said the loan programme is designed to operate in tandem with Pakistan’s broader national digital agenda. The federal government is investing in national digital public infrastructure through the <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1746318#:~:text=The%20Ecnec%20also%20approved%20Digital%20Economy%20Enhancement%20Project%20at%20a%20modified%20cost%20of%20Rs17.47bn%2C%20funded%20by%20the%20World%20Bank%2DIDA%20loan.">Digital Economy Enhancement Project</a> (Deep).</p> <p>The CPP builds directly on these foundations, ensuring that national platforms, policies, and connectivity investments t…

World Bank approves $70 million for Connected Punjab Programme Get Alerts ISLAMABAD - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $70 million for the Connected Punjab Programme to help Punjab province expand broadband internet access, improve digital service delivery, and enhance cashless transactions. The programme is designed to operate in tandem with Pakistan’s broader national digital agenda. The federal government is investing in national digital public infrastructure through the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP). The Connected Punjab Program builds directly on these foundations, ensuring that national platforms, policies, and connectivity investments translate into tangible benefits for Punjab’s citizens and businesses. The program will help tackle the regulatory and cost barriers that currently limit private sector investment in broadband infrastructure, particularly in underserved urban areas. By reducing average Right-of-Way permitting processing times from 90 days to 21 days, the program aims to facilitate private sector expansion of fixed broadband coverage from 7.8 million to 9.9 million people by June 2031 - bringing approximately 2.1 millio…

World Bank approves $70 million for Connected Punjab Updated on 01 Jul 26, 15:20:07 PKT Summary The program seeks to connect an additional 2.1 million people to broadband internet by 2031 ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The World Bank has approved $70 million for the Connected Punjab Program to help Punjab province expand broadband internet access, improve digital service delivery, and enhance cashless transactions. According to the World Bank, the program seeks to connect an additional 2.1 million people to broadband internet by 2031, increasing fixed broadband coverage in Punjab from 7.8 million to 9.9 million people. The project is also expected to attract $50 million in private investment for digital infrastructure. As part of the reforms, authorities plan to reduce the processing time for right-of-way permits from 90 days to 21 days, facilitating faster deployment of broadband infrastructure. By 2031, the program aims to provide improved digital government services to 28.9 million people across the province. It also targets increasing women's access to digital public services from 19% to 30%. The World Bank said the initiative includes the development of modern digital infrastructur…