Pakistan to Deploy Fiber Optic Cable to Connect with China
China To Pakistan Fiber Optic Project
The government has said it will roll out a cross-border Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) system at a cost of Rs 3.7 billion between Pakistan and China for information security, Business Recorder reported, citing official sources.
Paper said that the need for this fiber optic cable crossing the country has increased after security concerns from Pakistan and China, which fear the possibility of India monitoring communication activities, via already submarine cables. assets.
The project was deliberated at a recent meeting of the
Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) under the
chairmanship of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shakih.
The project consists of laying 820 km of Optical Fiber Cable
(OFC) along the Karakaram Highway, from Rawalpindi to Khunjrab Pass (Chinese
border via Mansehra, Chilas, Danyore (Gligit), Karimabad, and Sust).
At present, Pakistan's international connectivity to the
world is through the SEA-ME-WE 3 & 4 and IMEWE submarine cables, and
Pakistan is connected by spur lines only.
“This dependency is not only a risk but also involves
security issues. Voice/data and internet traffic can be easily monitored and
disrupted by India,” the sources said. To deflect such a threat, sources said,
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with China in April 2007 for the
establishment of a secure international OFC link between China and Pakistan
along the Karakoram highway which is widened by the China Road and Bridge Company.
Through this project, a link will be created between
Pakistan and the Trans-Asia Europe (TAE) cable in China, which would allow
Pakistan and China to have alternative routes for their international
telecommunications traffic, added officials sources.
Successful implementation of the project would provide
Pakistan with direct telecom access to China and Central Asian states. Thus,
the development of telecommunications infrastructure will facilitate trade with
these countries and also promote tourism in the region, said sources quoting
the Ministry of Information Technology, commenting on the project.
Apart from security assurance, the project is expected to
generate revenues of around Rs 1.5 billion in the first three years, and in the
fourth year, the financial dividends are expected to increase.
The project would be financed under the Public Sector
Development Program (PSDP) and a Chinese loan on favorable terms. The project
also involves a Rs 3.2 billion foreign exchange component (FEC).
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