In order to provide connectivity between China and major international destinations transiting through Pakistan, the Special Communication Organization (SCO) and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) have officially signed an agreement. The signing took place at the Pak-China Friendship Center during the inauguration of Pakistan-China Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) laid by SCO.
The SCOs Pakistan-China OFC is 820-kilometre-long stretching from Rawalpindi to Khunjerab establishing new cross border connectivity with China and is part of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project led by Government of Pakistan and China.
As part of the agreement, SCO is to provide capacities on its OFC network between Pak-China Khunjerab border and Rawalpindi, whereas PTCL will be providing connectivity from Rawalpindi to major international destinations through Karachi and Gwadar using its long-haul network infrastructure and PTCL submarine cable network.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Justice Rtd. N asirulMulk, Major General Amir Azeem Bajwa, Director General, SCO, HI (M), Dr. Daniel Ritz, President & CEO, PTCL, Yao Jing, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Deng Xiao Feng, CEO, China Telecom Global Limited and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.
Dr. Daniel Ritz President and CEO PTCL speaking on the occasion said, “PTCL has been connecting the nation since 1947 and we are glad to be part of this important initiative creating a positive regional impact. With the signing of Pakistan-China Optical Fiber Cable agreement, PTCL will contribute further to the economic development and prosperity of Pakistan.”
Furthermore, the agreement between PTCL and SCO is to also allow Chinese Carriers to connect to neighboring countries including Iran and Afghanistan through terrestrial OFC link and major African and European destinations through PTCL submarine cables infrastructure.
