China's Sunwalk Group is reportedly proposing to invest $2 billion in Pakistan's telecom sector for the deployment of a fiber optic network that will eventually cover an area of 100,000 kilometers.
A senior Sunwalk Group delegation apparently met this week with Pakistan's IT and Telecommunications Minister Syed Aminul Haque to discuss investments in telecom infrastructure, fiber optic cable (OFC) and right-of-way (RoW).
Sunwalk is a multinational private Chinese company based on telecommunications and technology, having developed several telecom and communications infrastructure projects in China and having obtained a Telecom Infrastructure Provider (TIP) license in Pakistan.
On the occasion, the Pakistani Minister informed the delegation that consultations were underway with the Ministry of Railways and the Roads Department for laying of OFC right of way. He assured the delegation that all obstacles in this regard would be removed soon.
India's Economic Times reports that relations between China and Pakistan seem good at the moment. In fact, less than two weeks ago, the China Commercial Bank (ICBC) approved the extension of a $1.3 billion loan for Pakistan. Pakistan is currently facing high inflation, foreign exchange reserve problems, a current account deficit and a depreciating currency.
