820 km Optic Fiber Cable project in GB to facilitate tourism, IT awareness

ISLAMABAD - The fiber optic network project in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) under 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 820 km of Optic Fiber Cable from Khunjerab to Rawalpindi is the US $ 44 million and expenditure incurred so far is US$ 28.30 million.

Sources at Planning and Development Division on Sunday said the project completion time is December 2018 but it may be completed ahead of schedule.

Giving details, the sources said the main alignment of CPEC optical fiber is Rawalpindi, Mansehra, Naran, Babusar top, Chillas, Gilgit, Karimabad, and Khunjerab.

The project while establishing alternate international connectivity of Pakistan and China with the 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 region, employment to locals of area along deployment route, generate economic opportunities in GB region, provide modern telecom facilities on CPEC route, direct access for Pakistan-Middle East for China and, Central Asian Republics, Far East and Europe.