QUETTA: PTCL has planned to make a massive investment in telecom infrastructure in Gwadar in view of mega development projects of deep sea port and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to provide facilities to international companies investing in this port city.

Talking to journalists here on Wednesday, PTCL Executive Vice-President (Business Zone South) Raza Hasnain said China would avail international internet connectivity of PTCL.

He said that PTCL has been running international internet cable service through four sub-marines and has planned to expand the service to neighbouring countries including China.

“Pakistan is among one of those countries who have their international internet cable service through sub-marines and under-sea water system while PTCL has 90pc control on this system in the country,” he said.

Mr Hasnain said that Dubai attracted international businesses owing to goods transit facilities at its port. He added that Gwadar would have better facilities. “Large ships cannot be berthed at Dubai port, but thanks to the natural advantage they can be parked at Gwadar port,” he said, adding that it would generate revenue as international marine traffic would prefer Gwadar for loading and off-loading of goods.

In reply to a question, he said that PTCL has planned Rs2 billion investments in different parts of the country this year, adding that a major chunk will be directed towards Gwadar. He said that two major data centres of PTCL were located in Karachi and Lahore, adding that Gwadar would be connected with Karachi centre.

He said that Chah Bahar port of Iran was far behind Gwadar in terms of facilities of deep sea port, adding that Iran would also have to avail facilities of Gwadar port for its import and export business.

He said that CPEC and Gwadar would be completely functional and connected with Russia, Central Asian states, China, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Europe and rest of the world in term of trade activities within next five to 10 years.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2016