820km optic fibre cable in GB to facilitate tourists

ISLAMABAD: The fibre optic network project in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is being carried out at a fast pace and would facilitate trade, tourism and Information Technology (IT) awareness in the region.

The coast of 820km of the optic fibre cable from Khunjerab to Rawalpindi is $44 million and expenditure incurred so is $28.30 million. Sources at the Planning and Development Division on Sunday said that the project completion time was December 2018 but it may be completed ahead of schedule.

Giving details, the officials said that main alignment of CPEC optical fibre was Rawalpindi, Mansehra, Naran, Babusar Top, Chillas, Gilgit, Karimabad, and Khunjerab. The project while establishing alternate international connectivity of Pakistan and China with rest of the world will particularly play a key role in the provision of 3G and 4G services in Gilgit Baltistan at parity with services now available in other parts of the country.

Essentially, the project will provide benefits which include: a major source of revenue, facilitate trade, tourism and IT awareness in the region, employment to locals of area along deployment route, generate economic opportunities in the region, provide modern telecom facilities on CPEC route, direct access for Pakistan-Middle East for China and, Central Asian Republics, Far East and Europe.