Pakistanis can now enjoy free internet services in six different cities, in public places and while using local transport, with the launch of the new Punjab Free internet project.
Pakistan’s province of Punjab has launched the Wi-Fi hot spot services in more than 200 places in six cities.
Chief Minister of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif launched the project during a ceremony in Arfa Karim Software Technology Park in Lahore.
The service will initially be available in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan, and would later be expanded to Bahawalpur, Faisalabad and Murree. The hot spots will be available in areas such as bus stops, train stations and airports.
Sharif termed the service a step towards digitalising Pakistan.
He said the move is a step towards smart cities, and aims to bring revolutionary change in the lives of the masses and to bridge the digital divide.
The service would benefit young people in search for knowledge and offer free connectivity to all in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad and Bahawalpur. The availability of the service in Pakistan’s Murree would facilitate the tourists and the general public.
Around 3.5 million citizens have access to Punjab’s free Wi-Fi service and it has the capacity to provide service to 160,000 users on a daily basis, according to Dr Umar Saif, Chairman of Punjab Information Technology Board and founding Vice Chancellor of Information Technology University.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Saif said the government is also providing technology-equipped laboratories in 5,000 schools and 50,000 tablets to students to equip them with latest technology.
The project has been launched by the Government of Punjab in collaboration with Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) with the assistance of PTCL, Nexlinx, National Engineers and Wifigen and local partners.