Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: A pilot project to provide free WiFi hotspots in the capital has stalled due to the security concerns.

Officials of the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration confirmed that the Islamabad Police was of the view that the facility of free WiFi hotspots could be used negatively.

“The truth is that the Islamabad Police is using delaying tactics. The ICT administration does not want the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to get credit for making the project a success. A similar facility is already being provided by the Punjab Information Technology Board in three cities of the province, including Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, under the Khadim-e-Punjab Metro WiFi Network Programme. So how can the same facility become a risk for the residents of Islamabad,” the official said.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Capitan (r) Mushtaq said: “We are scrutinising the project from the point of view of security. If found safe and secure, then we will give a go ahead to the project. However, it has not been finalised yet.”

The project was a brainchild of CDA Member Administration Muhammad Yasir Perzada, who decided to launch the free internet facility in the capital.

Initially, the facility was to be provided at the One Window Directorate of CDA, Kohsar Market F-6, Super Market F-6 and Jinnah Super Market F-7.

Earlier, it had been decided that a private firm ‘Mavan Consulting’ would provide WiFi hotspots and maintain the service free of cost for the first four months. The civic body was to assist them by giving them suitable spaces for advertisement.

“CDA was not supposed to pay anything for this pilot phase. It was not only to provide free internet to the citizens, but the specific data collection to monitor the behaviour of users to make need-based changes before the proper launch of this project was also a motive behind the pilot project,” another official said.

After the implementation of the project, citizens could connect to internet free of cost. The project was aimed to promote education through the use of latest technology. Some special features were also parts of the project to curb unethical and immoral browsing.

Requesting anonymity, a CDA official said: “A summary to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the facility provider was prepared by the Information Technology Directorate of the CDA. However, the legal adviser of the civic body pointed out some impediments mostly about security concerns linked with the project.”

“To avoid any issue in the implementation of the project, the civic body sought an approval from the ICT administration, which was initially granted by the commissioner’s office. The file has been lying in Operations SSP’s office for the past many months,” he added.

Operations SSP Sajid Kiani remained unavailable for comments despite repeated attempts.