Gilani lauds launch of USF optic fiber cable project in Balochistan

QUETTA: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday said government was providing modern telecommunication services to the remote areas of Balochistan to help it connect to the rest of the country.

Speaking at contract singing ceremony of Universal Service Fund's (USF) project of optic fiber cables in Balochistan here, the Prime Minister underlined the significance of telecommunication and information technology in making the world a global village.

He asked the quarters concerned to remain abreast of developments in the IT sector to enhance pace of development across the country.

He described the USF optic fiber cable project as an important initiative on the part of federal government as it ensures telecommunication services in various parts of the province.

He said under this programme about 5,500 kilometres of optic fiber was being laid in Balochistan connecting 44 tehsil headquarters and 29 smaller towns in the province besides creating job opportunities for the local youth.

"Four of these five Rs. 7.1 billion projects are already under execution and the last one is being signed today after undergoing an open bidding process as per PPRA which after completion would benefit about 5.2 million users," the PM said.

He referred to government's Rs. 2.3 billion Rural Telecom Projects in the province under which 1161 unserved Mauzas were being ensured basic telecom services.

He said the government through its Universal Service Fund was planning several more projects and necessary data collection and studies are in progress in this regard.

Governor Balochistan Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi, Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, Federal Information Minister Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, provincial ministers and other concerned officials were all present on the occasion.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011