ISLAMABAD – Good news for Islamabad commuters and students on the go — the federal government is gearing up to install free Wi-Fi hotspots at busy public locations in the capital, starting with metro stations by the end of this year.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, shared the update during a recent Senate IT committee meeting. She explained that while the long-term dream of offering free internet across the entire city has been floated, it’s not something that can happen just yet — mainly because of the commercial concerns raised by telecom companies.
“We’re starting with targeted locations like metro stations where people need quick, reliable internet access,” the minister said. However, despite earlier suggestions, there’s no final decision yet on providing free Wi-Fi on metro buses themselves.
In the meantime, the government is working on expanding high-speed fiber connectivity at critical spots, including Parliament House, Parliament Lodges, public hospitals, schools, and universities. The goal is to boost internet speed and reliability where it matters most.
The Senate session also covered broader issues like Pakistan’s progress in artificial intelligence and internal matters within the IT ministry. A debate over a senior-level appointment sparked some questions about transparency, but the minister stood by the hiring process.
As for discussions around cryptocurrency regulation — they’ve been pushed to a later meeting due to the absence of key officials, but more talks with financial authorities are expected soon.
So, while citywide free internet isn’t happening just yet, those who use metro stations in Islamabad can look forward to easier, faster access to the web very soon.
