ISLAMABAD, Dec 19: A leading cellular mobile telephone company plans to invest $500 million during the year 2006, taking its total investment in the country to well over $1.75 billion by the year end.

“We have been encouraged by the positive economic and infrastructure development trends in Pakistan and have decided to raise the level of our investment portfolio in Pakistan,” Chairman Orascom Telecom, Naguib Sawiris told reporters here on Monday soon after his meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

Mr Sawiris was flanked by president and CEO of Mobilink Pakistan Zouhair A. Khaliq during a news conference at a local hotel. About the quality of service issue, Mr Sawiris, who is on a short visit to Pakistan, said Mobilink had launched its own fibre optic cable laying project which would provide the company independence from relying on other carrier (Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited) for its telecom services.