ISLAMABAD, Aug 2: The government is expected to sign a formal agreement with Hughes Global Systems, a US based company, on August 6 for the launch of communication satellite called Paksat-1.

The company’s president, Don Gonzales, was due in Islamabad to sign the agreement with the government, for the launch of HGS3 Paksat-1 satellite to occupy 38E orbital slot in the space, an official source told Dawn.

The Paksat-1 launching was necessary to ensure the positioning of the satellite before April 2003 deadline.

Pakistan has already lost four out of five space slots allotted by the International Telecommuni-cation Union (ITU) in 1983. If Paksat is not launched before April 2003, Pakistan would loose its chance to have its own satellite.

Recently the cabinet had approved the acquisition of Hughes Paksat satellite on lease for five years with an initial cost of approximately $4.5 million. An amount of $4.6 million would be paid for the next five years in operational expenses as long as the satellite remains functional.

The cabinet has allowed the acquisition on the recommendation of a high powered committee on Paksat headed by the minister for science and technology Dr Attaur Rehman. However, the cabinet has directed to acquire the satellite after taking all necessary steps to safeguard national interest because it also involves defence and communication.

Dr Attaur Rehman, earlier explained to reporters that the retention of the slot was important from commercial and strategic point of view as it would assure retention of a foothold in space. Therefore the core issues before the Paksat committee were to occupy Orbital slot 38E and to attain frequency coordination with the concerned regional administrations for securing the maximum number of transponders for Pakistan’s use.