The Islamic Republic of Pakistan declared its independence from Great Britain in 1947 when the English ended its colonial rule over India. Pakistan split from the Indian empire in order to establish its own Muslim state. By 1983, the country had two major civilian communications networks: the public communications network operated by the Telegraph and Telephone Department and the specialized network operated by the Pak-Arab Refinery. Interoperability between Pakistani communications networks and U.S. communications networks were vital for invoking a quick response of support by the U.S. incase of national disasters or civilian requests for assistance.
This report compiled the major civilian communications networks operated by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It examines the interoperability of these networks with American communication networks and gives recommendations for the future.
“Pakistan has taken the first steps towards eventual launching of a telecommunications satellite. The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission proposes the launching of a multipurpose national satellite at an altitude of 35,800 kilometers above the equator. According to the tentative schedule, the telecommunications satellite is to be launched in about 5 or 6 years, with the cooperation of either the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or the European Space Agency (ESA).” (p IV-4)
This report was released to the Nautilus Institute under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).