Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi on Friday formally inaugurated the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Open Wi-Fi Project, aimed at providing free internet facilities to citizens across the province.
In the initial phase, free Wi-Fi services will be provided at government hospitals and public transport locations in Peshawar. The Chief Minister also announced free Wi-Fi availability at all government universities and colleges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The project will later be expanded to divisional headquarters, including Abbottabad, Mardan, Swat, Kohat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan.
Addressing the ceremony, the Chief Minister said the provincial government was working to promote digital governance and gradually make public services paperless. He said internet access was creating new employment and business opportunities for youth, and providing such opportunities was the state’s responsibility.
Sohail Afridi criticized restrictions on internet services, saying slowing down the internet to limit social media affects young people and the digital economy.
He added that lack of internet and mobile services in merged districts was creating challenges for local communities.
The Chief Minister said the provincial government was established through the people’s mandate and public service was its top priority. He expressed hope that the financial year 2026-27 would bring peace, development and prosperity to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.