Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi has officially launched the Community Driven Digital Access (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Open Wi-Fi) Initiative, calling it a major milestone in the province's digital transformation and a step toward strengthening digital governance and expanding citizen access to modern public services. The inaugural ceremony took place at the Chief Minister's House in Peshawar.
First Phase Targets Key Public Facilities
Under the first phase, free Wi-Fi services are being introduced at major government hospitals and public transport hubs in Peshawar. Subsequent phases will extend the initiative to all divisional headquarters, including Abbottabad, Dera Ismail Khan, Mardan, Swat, Kohat, and Bannu.
The Chief Minister also announced that free Wi-Fi will be provided at all public universities and colleges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emphasizing the government's commitment to equipping young people with digital infrastructure for education, research, entrepreneurship, and employment.
Digital Governance Progress
Afridi noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has already achieved substantial progress in digital governance, with nearly 70 to 80 percent of government processes moving toward digitization. Efforts are underway to transition public service delivery to a paperless system. He said the provincial government remains committed to ensuring modern digital services reach every citizen, contributing to greater accessibility, transparency, and efficiency.
Digital Economy and Youth
Highlighting the importance of the digital economy, CM Afridi observed that internet connectivity is essential for employment, e-commerce, freelancing, and entrepreneurship. He stressed that creating opportunities for youth to participate in the digital economy is a fundamental responsibility of the state. The provincial government, he said, is committed to providing an enabling environment for innovation, skills development, and economic participation.
Concerns Over Internet Disruptions
The Chief Minister expressed concern over persistent issues relating to internet availability and speed across the country. He said that slowing down or suspending internet services to restrict access to social media is a regrettable practice. He maintained that internet services are frequently disrupted or deliberately slowed to counter the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), with the greatest impact falling on young people, students, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and digital businesses.
Sohail Afridi said that while the present federal government has failed to introduce effective measures to expand economic opportunities for the country's youth, it should at least refrain from depriving them of the ability to earn livelihoods through digital platforms. He emphasized that reliable, affordable, and unrestricted internet access is indispensable for the growth of Pakistan's digital economy and the future of its young workforce.
Merged Districts and Cross-Border Trade
Drawing attention to the merged districts, the Chief Minister noted that many areas continue to face severe connectivity challenges, with many localities lacking even basic mobile phone coverage. He observed that cross-border trade with Afghanistan has historically been a major source of livelihood for local communities, and prolonged border closures have significantly affected economic activity. Sustainable peace, he emphasized, requires expanding economic opportunities and improving livelihoods alongside security interventions.
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Focus
Sohail Afridi reiterated that fiscal year 2026-27 will be dedicated to advancing peace, economic development, prosperity, and digital transformation across the province. He affirmed that the government will continue implementing its reform agenda to deliver efficient, accessible, and technology-enabled public services.
Project Details and Costs
Earlier, officials briefed the Chief Minister on progress achieved under the project. They informed that the PC-I cost of the initiative stands at Rs320 million, of which Rs90 million have already been utilized for deployment at selected public locations. The implementation plan initially covers 19 public sites across the districts of Peshawar, Abbottabad, and Dera Ismail Khan, supported by 119 access points. The selected locations include public hospitals, parks, and transport terminals. Under the first phase, Open Wi-Fi services have already become operational at Lady Reading Hospital and Bagh-e-Naran in Peshawar.
