Pakistan-Chinese Fibre Optic Converts Trade Corridor Into Digital Corridor

Pakistan-Chinese 820-kilometer long fibreĀ optic cable from Rawalpindi to Khunjerab is open for commercial use. The Pakistan-Chinese fibre optic cable project will be a major revenue generator for Pakistan and provide the shortest route for Chinese telecom companies.

A spokesperson for the Special Communications Organisations (SCO) said: “The cable would play an important role in keeping China and Pakistan linked withĀ the world. The completion of the project will be a major milestone.”

The total expenditure on project amounted to $44 million backed by 85% concessionary loan from the Exim Bank of China. The project is owned by the military-run SCO and its engineering, while the procurement and construction (EPC) contractor is Huawei.

“The Pak-China fibre optic project is the first cross-border contact between the two neighbours. The communication contact will prove to be positive for internet traffic from China to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe,” the spokesperson added.

The completion of the project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will transform the trade corridor into a digital corridor. The foundation stone of Pak-China fibre optic cable project was laid in May 2018.

Around 18.2 kilometres portion of the cable passes through the federal capital, 466 kilometres in Gilgit-Baltistan, 280 kilometres in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and 47 kilometers in Punjab. The cable reaches Rawalpindi from Khunjerab via Karimabad, Gilgit, Chilas, Babusar Top, Naran, Mansehra, and JaryKas.

More News at EurAsian Times