ISLAMABAD, May 4: The Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) and the Afghan Ministry of Communications on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish telecommunication links between the two countries.

PTCL member (operations) Zahir Mohammad Khan signed the MoU on behalf of his company and director general (communications) Mohammad Gul on behalf of the government of Afghanistan.

Speaking on the occasion, science minister Prof Attaur Rahman offered advisory and technical input to guide Afghanistan in its restructuring activities.

Engr Rahim, the Afghan telecoms minister, said the telecom infrastructure had been destroyed totally in Afghanistan. He said his country hoped to gain much from Pakistan’s advances in the this sector.

He hoped that his country would be able to rebuild its telecom infrastructure with the assistance of Pakistan.

He said Afghanistan was looking to establish a long-term relationship with Pakistan.

According to the MoU, telecommunication services will be started between Afghanistan and Pakistan through international exchanges using the country codes 93 and 92 respectively. Alternative telecommunication services will be started via other countries after tripartite discussions.

The MoU also includes restoration of high-capacity digital radio systems from Peshawar to Kabul, provision of expertise for a telecommunication master plan for Afghanistan, regular exchange of delegations for policy regulation and legal support, a survey to assess the Afghan requirements, supply of spare parts, possible establishment of a fibre optic link between Pakistan and Afghanistan, training of Afghan staff at the PTCL Training Institute and supply of equipment and services through joint ventures with foreign companies.