Islamabad is set to become Pakistan’s first free WiFi city as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) announced that internet access will soon be available at 35 prominent locations across the federal capital. These include major markets, Metro bus stations, Electric Feeder Bus terminals, and popular public parks, ensuring that citizens can stay connected while commuting or spending time in high-traffic urban spaces.
The decision was finalized during a meeting at CDA Headquarters chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa. During the session, officials highlighted that the CDA’s technical team will extend full support to National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) for the project rollout. NTC will be responsible for operating and maintaining the system once it is live, with the goal of gradually expanding coverage to transform Islamabad into a fully connected smart city.
Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa emphasized the need to make the service sustainable and directed that an operational and marketing model be designed to support the project’s continuity. He stated that revenue generated from the initiative should be reinvested into the system to finance future upgrades, enhancements, and maintenance. Randhawa also underlined the importance of service quality and uninterrupted connectivity, stressing that the initiative must deliver reliable results for users across all 35 designated sites.
The Chairman further reiterated the government’s broader vision to digitize Islamabad, ensuring citizens have access to modern urban facilities. He assured that CDA would mobilize all necessary resources to make the city a model of digital connectivity. The initiative, once fully implemented, is expected to greatly enhance accessibility, particularly for students, professionals, and businesses relying on seamless connectivity to operate efficiently.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials including 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 representatives. Their presence underlined the strategic importance of the initiative, reflecting joint efforts between CDA and NTC to bring digital infrastructure into the daily lives of Islamabad’s residents. By setting up free WiFi across key areas, the federal capital is moving closer to becoming a digitally empowered hub that aligns with Pakistan’s broader vision for a connected future.
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