GILGIT: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif performed groundbreaking of Pakistan-China Optical Fiber Cable Project in Gilgit on Thursday.
The PM arrived in Gilgit-Baltistan earlier this morning. He was accompanied by Minister of State of Information Technology and Telecommunication.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman, GB Governor Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan, and Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Barjees Tahir were also present on the occasion.
According to Anusha Rahman, the project is part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to be completed by the end of 2017.
“This landmark telecommunication project will cost US$44 million,” she said, “Special Communication Organization will lay an 820-kilometre long cable from Rawalpindi to Khunjarab.”
On completion, the project will provide an alternate telecommunication route between Pakistan and China.
Earlier on his arrival, the PM also inaugurated Gilgit-Baltistan CPEC patrolling police headquarters.
According to a statement issued here, the patrolling force comprising three hundred personnel will help ensure a safe and smooth flow of traffic on the 439-kilometre chunk of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project in Gilgit. China has also gifted twenty-five vehicles for the patrolling police.
During the day-long visit, PM Nawaz will also administer the oath of the newly elected members of Gilgit Baltistan Council.