Work on Sino-Afghan fiber optic project to begin in a month

FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): A survey for a fiber optic project from China to Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province has almost been completed and practical work will be launched soon, an official said on Saturday.

Shahzada Gul Aryubi, minister of the communications and information technology (CIT), during his trip to Badakhshan, said work on the extension of the 170-kilometer optic fiber would begin within a month.

The Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan and the acting finance minister accompanied Aryubi on the visit. He said the China-funded project would cost 70 million afghanis.

Aryubi said the project was part of a digital-connectivity plan, which would transform Afghanistan into an information corridor.

CIT Director Ghulam Rabbani Haidari termed the fiber optic project a national scheme. He hoped the entire nation would reap its benefits.

The Chinese envoy said his country was ready to invest in Afghanistan’s infrastructure development.

nh/mud