Cut internet rates or we’ll buy it from others, Pakistan told

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology (MoTIT) has sought Pakistan’s assistance in the development of the telecom sector and infrastructure.

The ministry says if Pakistan sells the internet at a higher price, Afghanistan will have no option to buy the facility from other countries.

The Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulation Authority (ATRA) wrote on its Facebook page that Maulvi Najibullah Haqqani, acting head of the body, along with board members and directors of various departments, had met Pakistani NSA Moeed Yusuf.

Bilateral cooperation in the field of telecommunications and information technology was discussed between the two sides.

A statement from ATRA said the acting minister asked the Pakistani delegation to share its experiences in regulating telecom services and help Afghanistan in infrastructure development.

Enayatullah Alokozai, spokesman for the ministry, said Pakistan had been asked not to disrupt frequencies across Afghanistan and sell it the internet at a cheaper price.

“If Pakistan sells the internet at a higher price, Afghanistan will have to buy it from other countries. The meeting also sought access to Dark Fiber that will connect Afghanistan to the International internet.”

According to Alokozai, the meeting also discussed the issue of fiber optic connectivity through Ghulam Khan in southeastern Khost province.

Yusuf responded they were ready to cooperate with Afghanistan in various fields, ATRA added. The NSA suggested some online programmes and software.

In addition, the Pakistani security advisor also offered some other activities. The acting minister vowed to consider the offer, if found useful for Afghanistan.

sa/mud