Caretaker PM rolls out Pak-China Optical Fiber Cable project

Initiative will reduce Pakistan's dependence on submarine cable for connectivity

ISLAMABAD:

Caretaker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk on Friday inaugurated the Pak-China Optical Fiber Cable project which will provide first hand land-based connectivity to the country.

The newly rolled-out project will lower the country’s dependence on the submarine cable.

The ceremony was held in the federal capital was jointly organised by the Special Communication Organisation (SCO) and Huawei.

Moreover, the attendees included Minister in-charge for Information Technology and Telecommunications Yousuf Sheikh, Director General Special Communication Organisation (SCO) Maj Gen Amir Azim Bajwa, Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing, as well as, Huawei Middle East region President Charles Yang.



The total outlay for the initiative is $44 million with a 85% concessional loan was given by China's EXIM bank.

The owner of the project is SCO and the ECP contractor is Huawei.

Mulk unveiled the plaque of the project by lauding the efforts of those who successfully executed the project in one of the most difficult terrains in a record time.

"This project has  been implemented under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and will foster the telecom sector in the northern areas".

He added that the optic fiber cable project is imperative not only to  develop the industry but also to provide cross border connectivity to Pakistan.

He said that it would also provide China with an alternate and shorter access for transit telecom traffic to Europe, Middle East and Africa.

China's envoy Jing said this is one of the nine projects that has been completed so far and will be instrumental in contributing to Pakistan's economy.