Islamabad to Become Smart City as Govt Launches Major Fiberization and Tech Education Initiatives

The federal government has initiated a series of digital infrastructure and education reforms aimed at transforming Islamabad into a pilot smart city.

Following a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja told the media that the Prime Minister has directed her ministry to lead the smart city transformation process in the capital.

According to the minister, the Ministry of IT has already allocated funding to provide fiber connectivity to all public schools, Basic Health Units (BHUs), and health sector facilities in Islamabad. Within the next six to eight months, hospitals, schools, and police stations in the city are expected to be fully fiberized. Identified public areas and metro bus stations will also be equipped with free public Wi-Fi through public-private partnerships.

The government plans to expand access to education in remote regions through EdTech solutions. Shaza Fatima said emerging technologies and artificial intelligence will be introduced from grade six down to kindergarten levels. The aim is to integrate technology into the education system early on and ensure every child in Islamabad has access to learning opportunities.

In the health sector, the ministry is working with the Ministry of Health on a “One Patient, One ID” initiative. Internet connectivity will be extended to all BHUs to enable telemedicine and remote consultations. The government has also established a committee to incorporate IT education into the national curriculum as part of broader educational reforms.

The minister stated that the government aims to train 500,000 youth in advanced IT skills. Of these, 200,000 will receive training from Google, 300,000 from Huawei, and 200,000 from Microsoft. According to her, these programs are designed to prepare the country’s IT workforce to meet global standards and increase youth participation in the digital economy.