DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Friday launched the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Open Wi-Fi) Initiative, announcing free Wi-Fi services at major public hospitals and transport terminals in Peshawar as part of the provincial government’s drive to expand digital connectivity and improve access to online public services.
Speaking at the launch ceremony at the Chief Minister’s House, Mr Afridi said the initiative marked a major step towards digital governance and would gradually be expanded across the province, said an official statement issued here.
The statement stated the CM-KP also announced that after the first phase in Peshawar, the project would be extended to the divisional headquarters of Abbottabad, Dera Ismail Khan, Mardan, Swat, Kohat and Bannu.
The chief minister also announced that free Wi-Fi services would be introduced at all public universities and colleges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to support students in education, research, entrepreneurship and employment.
He said the provincial government had already digitised between 70 and 80 per cent of its administrative processes and was working towards a paperless public service delivery system.
Referring to the vision of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, Mr Afridi said the provincial government was committed to ensuring that digital services reached every citizen and contributed to greater transparency, accessibility and efficiency in governance.
Highlighting the growing importance of the digital economy, he said reliable internet access had become essential for employment, freelancing, e-commerce and entrepreneurship, particularly for young people. He added that the government was committed to creating an enabling environment for innovation, skills development and digital economic participation.
The chief minister criticised disruptions and slow internet services in the country, saying such measures adversely affected students, freelancers, entrepreneurs and online businesses that depended on uninterrupted connectivity. He said reliable, affordable and unrestricted internet access was essential for the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy.
Mr Afridi also drew attention to connectivity challenges in the merged districts, where many areas still lacked basic mobile phone coverage. He said improving digital infrastructure and expanding economic opportunities were essential for sustainable peace and development in those regions.
He said the provincial government remained committed to accountable governance and efficient utilisation of public resources, adding that the 2026-27 fiscal year would focus on peace, economic development, prosperity and digital transformation.
Earlier, officials briefed the chief minister on the project, stating that it has a total cost of Rs320 million, of which Rs90 million has already been spent on the first phase.
According to the briefing, the project will initially cover 19 public locations in Peshawar, Abbottabad and Dera Ismail Khan through 119 Wi-Fi access points.
Open Wi-Fi services have already become operational at Lady Reading Hospital and Bagh-e-Naran in Peshawar. Additional sites, including Police Services Hospital, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar Institute of Cardiology, Kohat Bus Terminal, Lahore Bus Terminal, Ghani Bagh and Gulistan Johar Hazara Khwani Park, are expected to become operational by the end of the month.
Under the second phase, free Wi-Fi services will be launched by Aug 30 at DHQ Hospital, Mufti Mehmood Hospital, Town Hall Park, Milad Park and Food Street on Darya Road in Dera Ismail Khan.
The third phase, scheduled for completion by Dec 31, will extend the initiative to Abbottabad, covering Ayub Medical Complex, the Daewoo Bus Terminal and a public park.
