ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has started construction work along its border withIndia. The construction work is being carried out in an area adjacent tobarbed fences along the India-Pakistan border.

According to sources, Pakistan is carrying out the construction workbetween Shahgarh Bulge and Tanot border areas. Following the move byPakistan, the BSF has been put on alert and security along the border areahas been increased.

The information comes a day after Pakistan-based Dawn News reported onSunday that the neighbouring country is planning to launch an ambitiousspace programme during the next fiscal year to “keep an eye on the Indianside”.

Dawn News quoted Pakistani defence analyst Maria Sultan as saying, “Thereare two unusual developments in the region effecting the strategicsituation — first of all Pakistan has to keep an eye on Indian side andpreviously their programme had limited quality advancements but now the UShas active cooperation with the Indian satellite programme.”

The report further said that Pakistan’s space programme is being pursued toreduce the country’s dependency on foreign satellites for civil as well asmilitary purposes.

Pakistani authorities have allocated Rs 4.7 billion to the Space and UpperAtmosphere Research Organisation (SUPARCO). This includes the cost of threenew projects worth Rs 2.55 billion, said the report.