ZONG CEO Appointed to USF Board in Push for Stronger Telecom Coordination

Pakistan’s Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs) has approved the nomination of the Chief Executive Officer of ZONG, Mr. Huo Junli to the Board of Directors of the Universal Services Fund Company (USF), reinforcing private-sector representation in the country’s digital inclusion framework. The approval comes as part of a broader meeting focused on governance reforms, board reconstitutions, and restructuring of several key state-owned entities.

The meeting was held on Monday at the Finance Division and was chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb. It was attended by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, along with secretaries and senior officials from relevant ministries, divisions, and regulatory bodies.

ZONG CEO to Serve as USF Director Until June 2026

The Committee approved a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) to nominate the CEO of ZONG as a Director on the Board of Universal Services Fund Company. The appointment will be in the capacity of nominee of Mobile-Cellular Licensees and will remain effective for the remaining term of the Board until June 2026.

The move is expected to enhance industry participation in USF’s decision-making process, particularly at a time when Pakistan is expanding broadband access to underserved and remote areas. The USF plays a critical role in financing telecom infrastructure projects aimed at bridging the digital divide, and industry input is often viewed as essential for aligning policy goals with on-the-ground operational realities.

Multiple Board Reconstitutions Approved Across Key SOEs

Beyond the USF appointment, the CCoSOEs reviewed and approved several agenda items submitted by the Ministry of Commerce and MoITT, reflecting the government’s ongoing push to improve governance standards across state-owned enterprises.

Among the key decisions were:

• Filling one vacant position of Independent Director

• Appointment of a Chairman of the Board

• Recommendations for ex-officio positions

• Reconstitution of the Board of Directors of Pakistan Reinsurance Company Limited (PRCL)

• Reconstitution of the Board of Directors of State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC)

• Appointment of members on the Board of Directors of Ignite Company

These changes are part of a broader effort to professionalize SOE boards, improve oversight, and align management structures with international best practices.

What This Means Going Forward

The inclusion of the ZONG CEO on the USF Board is likely to strengthen coordination between policymakers and telecom operators, particularly as Pakistan pushes for broader broadband penetration and digital inclusion. At the same time, the cautious stance on PTDC and Morafco Industries highlights the Committee’s insistence on structured reform backed by legal and financial clarity.

As Pakistan continues to overhaul its SOE landscape, future proposals will increasingly be judged on governance strength, economic viability, and alignment with national reform objectives.