Pak China - “Optical Fibre Cable System” - [Route Map]

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Pakistan To Deploy Fiber Optic Cable to Connect with China

Pakistan and China have agreed to establish an optical fibre cable (OFC) system, to safeguard information from India.

Government said that it will deploy cross border Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) system at a cost of Rs 3.7 billion between Pakistan and China for security of information quoting official sources.

Laying of OFC cable between China and Pakistan is essential for security of communication as at present traffic is routed through India with the existing marine cables which is high security risk.

Existing Undersea Ways: Currently, Pakistan have only two undersea ways to connect with the world; SEA-ME-WE 3 and 4. PTCL is already signed a contract for IMEWE. All these have the connection with Mumbai (India) which may result in monitoring of communication by India.

Secure OFC b/w Pakistan & China: Meeting of Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) has been held under Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh Chairman and Finance Minister. “This dependency is not only a risk but also entails security concerns. The voice/data and internet traffic can be monitored and disturbed easily by India” . To overcome such danger an MoU has been signed between Pakistan and China in April 2007 to establish a secure OFC link between Pakistan and China along with Karakorum highway. Total distance of the cable will be 820 KM , starting point will be Rawalpindi up to Khunjrab Pass via Mansehra, Chilas, Gilgit, Karimabad and Sust.

Connection to Trans_Asia Europe Cable: This Fibre Optic cable will connect to Trans_Asia Europe (TAE) cable in China and will become an alternate to the communication for Pakistan and China for the rest of the world. Cable will connect Pakistan directly with china and the whole world along with china. This enhancement in the telecommunication infrastructure strengthen the online business and trade between the two friendly countries.

Long Term Project, Costing 3.7 Bn: This is a long-term project (as the same will connect Pak-China to Europe) but the expected revenue from this project is almost 1.5 billion Rupees in first three years and will grow after it. The project will cost around Rs. 3.7 bn. Project fund will be covered from PSDP, Chinese soft loan and FEC. The completion date of this project has not been informed yet.

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