Pakistan communication satellite begins beaming

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Pakistan's communication satellite, which was launched by China, is functioning fine, said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who described the project as an example of Islamabad-Beijing strategic ties.

Gilani on Saturday said that the PAKSAT-1R satellite project is yet another manifestation of the long-standing strategic relationship between Pakistan and China, taking the time-tested friendship to new heights.

At the inauguration of Satellite Ground Control Station and commencement of the satellite's communication services in Lahore, he said the satellite has reached its intended orbit and all subsystems are functioning perfectly well, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.

The country's first communications satellite PAKSAT-1R, which is a part of Pakistan's Space Programme-2040, was launched in August on board China's Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre.

The satellite has a design life of 15 years and will provide TV broadcasting, Internet and data communication services across South and Central Asia, Eastern Europe, East Africa and the Far East. This satellite now enables extending of communication services to all areas of Pakistan.

Pakistani engineers have worked closely with their Chinese counterparts during all stages of development of the satellite in China.

The prime minister said that application of space technologies is contributing significantly to socio-economic development and these technologies have also greatly changed the concept of national security of countries.

"Access to and adoption of these technologies is important for developing countries like Pakistan. It was with this realization in mind that I approved Pakistan's Space Vision-2040, earlier this year," he was quoted as saying.

Gilani said communication satellites are playing a vital role across the world over in bridging the digital divide between backward and remote areas and urban centres in the fields of health, education, entertainment and communication service delivery.