National News

GILGIT, (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
Thursday said the ambitious China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
would not only bring prosperity to the region but also help put an
end to extremism and terrorism.
Addressing the ground breaking of the 820 km long Optic Fibre
Cable linkage between Khunjrab and Rawalpindi, the Prime Minister
also directed extending its linkages to other CPEC project areas.
The Prime Minister said the world has transformed over the
years and now “Knowledge-based economy” was the buzzword. He urged
the youth, particularly of Gilgit and Baltistan to get ready for the
challenges ahead and strive for excellence.
The Prime Minister also announced setting up of a Technical
Training Institute by the Special Communication Organization (SCO)
and offered an initial grant of Rs 100 million.
The project which is part of the China Pakistan Economic
Corridor was first envisioned during visit of President Hu Jintao’s
to Islamabad in 2006, and an MoU was inked in 2007.
It is the first IT and Telecom project being executed under
CPEC and would also be the first land based inter connection between
the two neighboring countries.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who is here on a day-long visit
addressing the gathering said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor
would not only link Pakistan with China, but would also link the two
countries to the Central Asian Republics, Afghanistan and the region.
The Prime Minister said that never in the past such huge
projects were launched and said his government was committed to
complete the affiliated projects within the stipulated time. He said
the CPEC would also link northern Pakistan to the south and open up
new areas for progress and development.
Prime Minister Sharif said the objective of his government was
to bring economic stability to the country, end poverty and generate
employment.
The Prime Minister was also appreciative of the role of the
SCO in providing a communication linkage in the remotest areas of
the country and urged it to work harder for the provision of much better
services.
With a total stretch of 820 kilometers, the optical fibre
would start from Khunjrab and culminate at Rawalpindi backed up by
a high capacity microwave link. The project would help establish
alternate international connectivity for both the countries to
address prolonged communication outages due to disruptions in
submarine cables.
The project would be completed within two years against a cost
of US$ 44 million. The Special Communication Organization has signed
agreement with Chinese firm M/s H to execute the project.
Starting from Khunjrab, the OFC will pass through Karimabad,
Gilgit, Chilas, Naran, Mansehra, Hassanabadal and will culminate at
Rawalpindi.
Plans are also in final stage for extension of OFC network to
Gwadar and Karachi for complete end to end international
connectivity along the CPEC routes.
DG SCO Major General Amir Azeem Bajwa said the organisation
has been serving the nation for the past 40 years in most difficult
terrain.
He said the SCO has made a comprehensive strategy to make the
project a success in view of the terrain. He said the project would
turn the route into a digital corridor and provide high speed
connectivity.
He said it woul also add around Rs 2 bln annually to
national exchequer.
President H Middle East Region He Tao termed it a strategic
and important project for two countries and hoped it would help the
two countries come closer.