Pak-China optical fibre cable system to be established

Pakistan is to establish cross border Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) system at a cost of Rs 3.7 billion between Pakistan and China for security of information, official sources told Business Recorder here on Monday. The main concern of the two countries is the possibility of India monitoring the communication activities of the two countries, through undersea cable.
The project was deliberated at a recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) under the chairmanship Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shakih. The project consists of laying 820 km of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) along the Karakaram Highway, from Rawalpindi to Khunjrab Pass (Chinese border via Mansehra, Chilas, Danyore (Gligit), Karimabad and Sust).
At present, Pakistan's international connectivity with the world is through undersea cables SEA-ME-WE 3&4 reaching Mumbai, and Pakistan is connected through spurs only. "This dependency is not only a risk but also entails security concerns. The voice/data and internet traffic can be monitored and disturbed easily by India," sources said. To divert such a threat, sources said, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with China in April 2007 for the establishment of a secure international OFC link between China and Pakistan along Karakaram Highway which is being widened by China Road and Bridge Company.
Through this project, a link will be created between Pakistan and Trans-Asia Europe (TAE) cable in China, which would enable both Pakistan and China to have alternative routes for their international telecom traffic, sources added. Successful implementation of the project would provide Pakistan with a direct telecom access to China and the Central Asian States. Thus, development of telecom infrastructure will facilitate trade with these countries and would also promote tourism in the region, sources quoted Ministry of Information Technology as commenting on the project.
"Laying of OFC cable between China and Pakistan is essential for security of communication as at present traffic is routed through India which is high security risk," sources said. Besides, this project will provide a link between Pakistan, China and Europe as well. Apart from security assurance, the project is expected to generate revenue--approximately Rs 1.5 billion in the first three years and, in the fourth year, the financial dividends are likely to grow. The project would be funded within Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) and out of a Chinese soft loan. The project also involves Rs 3.2 billion foreign exchange component (FEC).