Pakistan Railways and Cybernet have joined forces to construct a cutting-edge fiber optic network along the ML1 railway line, connecting Karachi and Peshawar. This strategic partnership aims to modernize Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, ensuring the country is well-equipped to meet future connectivity demands and drive economic growth.
By leveraging Pakistan Railways’ extensive 7,000-kilometer rail network, Cybernet will significantly enhance its intercity broadband capabilities. This expansion will not only provide faster and more reliable internet access to urban areas but also extend fiber connectivity to remote and underserved regions. Additionally, the new network will serve as a crucial internet transit route, connecting terrestrial networks in Central Asia to submarine cable networks in the Arabian Sea. This strategic positioning will solidify Pakistan’s role as a regional internet hub.
Aamir Ali Baloch, CEO of Pakistan Railways, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “By collaborating with Cybernet, we are demonstrating our commitment to contributing to Pakistan’s infrastructure development beyond transportation. This agreement marks a significant step forward in our efforts to diversify our role and positively impact the nation’s progress.”
Danish A. Lakhani, CEO of Cybernet, emphasized the importance of this project, saying, “We are grateful for the support of Pakistan Railways, the Ministry of IT and Telecom, and our partners. This collaboration will enable us to build a highly resilient and scalable national fiber backbone, consisting of two independent long-haul routes along the railways and motorways. Such a robust network is essential for catalyzing digitization, innovation, and productivity throughout the country, leading to economic and social uplift, particularly in underserved areas.”
