May 19, 2016
GILGIT: The Prime Minister on Thursday laid the foundation stone of a fiber optic project which is part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
“We are completing another milestone today,” the Prime Minister said addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Pakistan-China Optical Fiber Cable Project.
The project will be completed in two years at the cost of Rs 4.4 billion.
It will lay an 820 kilometre long cable from Rawalpindi to Khunjerab. On completion the project will provide an alternative telecommunication route between Pakistan and China.
“This will be a key project in the coming days. The journey of development continues in Gilgit Baltistan,” the PM said.
He added that very soon 3G and 4G internet will also be available in Gilgit Baltistan.
The PM paid tribute to brave soldiers, engineers and personnel who are involved in the project.
He added that development through the CPEC will increase employment and expand the energy sector.
The PM also announced the establishment of Gilgit-Baltistan Patroling Police. “The force will employ 300 policemen,” he said.
Earlier, on arrival, the prime minister was received by Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan and Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman.