MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Kashmir government has abolished “right-of-way charges” for telecom companies to ensure the provision of high-speed internet in the region, it emerged on Friday.
As per details, a one-window facility has also been provided to facilitate the process of installing IT and telecom infrastructure in the region.
This initiative, under the auspices of the Department of Information Technology, aims to rapidly expand digital infrastructure and improve internet service in the state.
The abolition of right-of-way fees will significantly reduce the cost of laying optical fiber cables for telecom operators.
This initiative will result in faster completion of projects and wider availability of services.
IT companies, investors, students, the business community, freelancers, and government institutions will also get access to quality and high-speed internet.
Under the one-window facility, telecom operators will submit applications to different offices and obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the relevant departments.
After the completion of these steps by the Azad Kashmir government and the expected optical fiber laying process announced by PTCL, the problem of substandard mobile and internet service in Azad Kashmir will be resolved.
Optical fiber project
Earlier, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore announced that work on a multi-billion-rupee optical fiber laying project will begin immediately after Eid-ul-Fitr.
In a statement, the Prime Minister said that this project will take Azad Kashmir to new paths of digital development and will bring a revolution in the sectors of high-speed and quality internet, education, health, and e-governance.
He said that new job opportunities in IT will also be created for the youth through this project.
Rathore said that this is the first government project to lay optical fiber in Azad Kashmir, and the credit for this goes to the government of the Pakistan People’s Party.
He appreciated the efforts of Chief Secretary Khushal Khan and Secretary IT Muhammad Rashid Hanif.
The premier further said that the government is committed to providing better facilities to the people through modern technology, and connecting every citizen to the digital world is the top priority of the government.
He said that this project will guarantee a bright future for Azad Kashmir.
