Islamabad: The federal government has announced plans to transform Islamabad into a pilot smart city as part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s digital vision.
According to Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the initiative will follow an integrated strategy leveraging emerging technologies to improve digital infrastructure, public services, and connectivity in the capital.
The Ministry of IT has already ensured fiber optic connectivity to all public schools and healthcare facilities in Islamabad. Over the next six to eight months, all hospitals, schools, and police stations are expected to be fully fiberized.
Plans are also underway to introduce free public Wi-Fi at select locations, including metro stations and public spaces, through public-private partnerships. The initiative aims to enhance access to digital services in both urban and remote areas.
The strategy also includes the rollout of education technology solutions and the integration of artificial intelligence in early-grade curricula. Additionally, the Ministry is collaborating with the health sector to implement the “One Patient, One ID” system for streamlined healthcare services and to enable telemedicine at Basic Health Units (BHUs). The broader vision includes nationwide capacity-building, with a target to train 500,000 youth in advanced digital skills through partnerships with major tech firms.
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