After Lahore, free WiFi spots have been announced in Islamabad to facilitate the resident of the federal capital.
The announcement was made by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) stating that free Wi-Fi spots will be made available at 35 important locations across the capital, including major markets, Metro and Electric Feeder Bus stations, and public parks.
The CDA announcement further stated that initiative is targeted to provide easy and free internet access to citizens in high-traffic areas of the capital.
CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, during a meeting at CDA Headquarters made the announcement.
The meeting was informed that the CDA’s technical team will extend full support to NTC in the execution of this project. It was further stated that the system will be operated and maintained by NTC, with the objective of transforming Islamabad into a free Wi-Fi city in the near future.
The CDA Chairman directed that an operational and marketing model should be developed to make the service self-sustainable, with the revenue generated being utilized for the system’s upgradation and maintenance. He stressed that uninterrupted service and quality must be ensured for citizens.
Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa reiterated the government’s vision to digitize Islamabad and highlighted that all necessary resources will be mobilized to provide modern facilities to the people of the federal capital, making Islamabad the country’s first free Wi-Fi city.
The meeting was attended by National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) Managing Director Major General (R) Ali Farhan, CDA Member Finance Tahir Naeem, Member Planning Dr. Khalid Hafiz, Member Engineering Syed Nafasat Raza, Director IT, and other senior officials.
Earlier this year, in a separate development, Lahore received 11 electric buses from China under a pilot project. In total, 27 buses were introduced in the first phase. The service was launched on 19 February, with a charging station set up in Green Town, Lahore.
Each bus has seating for 60 passengers and is operated by the Punjab Transport Department. Tenders for electric bus services in Faisalabad and Bahawalpur have also been issued, showing plans for expansion across the province.
Earlier the government has decided to start a new train service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The aim is to improve travel between the twin cities and to strengthen security for Pakistan Railways and its passengers.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired the meeting in Lahore along with Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi. Senior officials, including CEO of Pakistan Railways Aamir Ali Baloch and IG Railways Police Rai Tahir, also attended.
Read more: New train service announced from Islamabad to Rawalpindi
