ISLAMABAD, Sept 28: President Gen Pervez Musharraf accepted a gift of 5,000 GSM lines and the associated ‘Intelligent Net Work’ here on Saturday, from the president of ZTE Corporation of China, Hou Weigui.

The equipment will be set up with the help of the Special Communication Organization, says a government handout.

“Installing the lines in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur will benefit the economy and uplift of the region,” said Mr Weigui who called on Mr Musharraf to present the equipment. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Zhang Chunxiang was also present on the occasion.

ZTE chief extolled the government’s commitment to improve telecommunications in its less-developed regions, and said: “By our humble gift, we acknowledge and commend these exceptional efforts and determination to bring about better communications for all its citizens.”

He also thanked the president for the Hi-Tech status recently given to the ZTE Pakistan.

Mr Musharraf thanked the ZTE for the gift, and stated: “I predict an excellent future in Pakistan for ZTE and all such companies making solid investments in this nation’s future economic well-being and progress”.

The ZTE Corporation is one of the China’s largest and fastest growing telecommunications firms is employing 15,000 engineers and technologists in China.

The ZTE has established a joint-venture company in Pakistan which employees over 96 Pakistani engineers and 170 support staff.