Islamabad is set to undergo a major digital transformation under the federal government’s Smart City initiative, which includes extensive fiberization of public infrastructure and the integration of emerging technologies into the education and healthcare sectors. Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja confirmed the development following a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology. She stated that the Prime Minister has formally directed the Ministry of IT to lead this effort, starting with Islamabad as the pilot city.
The Ministry has already allocated funds to connect all government schools, Basic Health Units, and health sector institutions in Islamabad with fiber optic internet. Within the next six to eight months, schools, hospitals, and police stations across the city are expected to be fully connected to high-speed internet infrastructure. Public areas such as metro bus stations and parks will also receive free Wi-Fi access, implemented through public-private partnerships to ensure sustainability and service quality.
Shaza Fatima emphasized the importance of early technology integration in education. She said the government is introducing artificial intelligence and educational technology tools across school levels, from kindergarten to grade six. The objective is to bridge learning gaps by equipping children with digital skills from an early age, ensuring equal access to educational content regardless of location. The Ministry is also working to expand EdTech outreach in remote regions by improving internet availability in underserved communities.
In healthcare, the Ministry is coordinating with the Ministry of Health to implement the “One Patient, One ID” program. This initiative aims to create a unified medical records system supported by real-time connectivity at all Basic Health Units. With the expansion of internet infrastructure to these facilities, telemedicine and remote consultations will become more accessible, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. These digital health services are expected to enhance patient care and reduce barriers to timely medical advice.
As part of broader reforms, the government has formed a committee to revise the national curriculum to include IT education at all levels. This step is aligned with the country’s ambition to develop a tech-savvy population capable of participating in the global digital economy. The Minister also shared that the government intends to train 500,000 youth in advanced IT skills. According to her, 200,000 students will be trained by Google, 300,000 by Huawei, and 200,000 by Microsoft. These training programs are focused on areas such as cloud computing, software development, cybersecurity, and other high-demand digital skills.
The combined effort of infrastructure development, education reform, and healthcare digitization under the Smart City banner positions Islamabad as a model for digital transformation in other regions. With active engagement from global tech companies and cross-ministerial collaboration, the government aims to build the digital capacity required to support innovation and inclusive growth.
