Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the launch of USF Optic Fiber Cable Projects in Balochistan is an important initiative of the federal government. He said that the establishment of internet network under the USF’s project was a significant step forward as it would go a long way in making telecommunication services available in various parts of Balochistan.
Rs2.4 billion contract awarded to Wateen
Wateen Telecom Ltd., has been awarded a Rs 2.4 billion project to develop an extensive optical fibre network in Balochistan. The project, called USF Balochistan Package 4 (BP-4), entails the laying of over 1,100 km of an optical fibre network in northern Balochistan. An amount of Rs1.975 billion will be provided by USF in the form of a subsidy; the rest of the cost will be borne by Wateen.
To connect 20 cities of Balochistan
The new optical fibre network will connect twenty un-served cities and towns, including Gulistan, Musakhel, Barshor, Duki, Harnai, Ziarat, Sinjawi, Zhob, Sherani and Qamardinkarez. Wateen has joined hands with the Universal Service Fund Company (USF Co.) to undertake this project of national importance, which will go a long way in bridging the digital divide in the country. The project, funded through a USF subsidy, will provide state of the art digital infrastructure in remote areas of Balochistan, and could be further exploited to build IT, telecom, education, health and business services in these areas. The signing ceremony was held in Quetta on Wednesday. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was the chief guest at the ceremony, which was also attended by Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Khan Raisani, Mr Saeed Ahmad Khan, Secretary IT, PTA Chairman Dr Yaseen Malik, and other key dignitaries. Mr Zamindar said, “The Balochistan Project is but the first step in this long journey towards achieving nationwide connectivity.
Optical fiber to raze cultural barriers: PM
PM Gilani said that there was no denying the fact that telecommunication and information technologies have become viable tools of not only communication but also of razing down geographical, cultural, social and economic barriers. “Revolution in the field of information technology has played a central role in making this world a global village. The world we live in is being constantly shaped by the emerging innovations in the field of information technology. Therefore it is incumbent upon us to keep abreast of developments in the IT sector to step up pace of development”, he said. He said that information dynamics were also playing critical role in strengthening security, competitiveness, economic growth and general welfare of people.
Rs9.82b invested in telecom projects
He said that under the program, 5,500 kilometers of optic fiber cables were being laid in Balochistan with the aim of connecting each and every Tehsil headquarter of the province, including smaller towns on the way. “Thus 44 Tehsil headquarters (so far un-served) and 29 other small towns are being connected where a population of 5.2 million will benefit. The total job is divided into five projects and the total cost of these 5 projects is Rs 7.51 billion.
Four projects are already under execution and the last one is being signed, after undergoing an open bidding process, as per PPRA rules”, he said. Under the Rural Telecom program, 1,161 unserved areas are being provided basic telecom service where nearly 0.8 million people live, he said. Gilani said that the cost of these Rural Telecom projects was more than Rs2.3 billion. “Thus a total of more than Rs 9.82 billion is being spent for modern telecom services in the un-served areas of Balochistan to bring them at par with the developed areas of the country”, he said.
