GILGIT: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday performed the groundbreaking of the Pakistan-China Optical Fibre Cable project which is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Radio Pakistan reported.

The $44 million, 820-kilometre-long cable project stretching from Rawalpindi to Khunjerab will be completed by the Special Communication Organization in two years.

Upon completion, the project, which will provide an alternate telecommunication route between Pakistan and China, will also bring 3G and 4G connectivity to the region, Nawaz said.

Nawaz also inaugurated the Gilgit-Baltistan CPEC patrolling police headquarters in Gilgit, Radio Pakistan reported.

The patrolling force comprising 300 personnel will help regulate traffic along a 439km chunk of the CPEC in the area. China has provided 25 vehicles for the patrolling force.

The premier announced the establishment of a technical training institute in the region. "We will initially set aside Rs100 million for this project," he said.

Nawaz stressed the need for preparedness for a newer knowledge-based economy. "These development projects will help reduce extremism," he said, pointing towards a lack of employment in as a driver of militancy.

Opinion

Editorial

Dutch courage
Updated 02 Jun, 2024

Dutch courage

ECP has been supported wholeheartedly in implementing twisted interpretations of democratic process by some willing collaborators in the legislature.
New World cricket
02 Jun, 2024

New World cricket

HAVING finished as semi-finalists and runners-up in the last two editions of the T20 World Cup in familiar ...
Dead on arrival?
02 Jun, 2024

Dead on arrival?

Whatever the motivations for Gaza peace plan, it is difficult to see the scheme succeeding.
Another approach
Updated 01 Jun, 2024

Another approach

Conflating the genuine threat it poses with the online actions of a few misguided individuals or miscreants seems to be taking the matter too far.
Torching girls’ schools
01 Jun, 2024

Torching girls’ schools

PAKISTAN has, in the past few weeks, witnessed ill-omened reminders of a demoralising aspect of militancy: the war ...
Convict Trump
01 Jun, 2024

Convict Trump

AFTER a five-week trial saga, a New York jury on Thursday found former US president Donald Trump guilty of ...