Imran Khan govt shuts down free WiFi undertaking in Pakistan’s Punjab

The much-touted WiFi undertaking launched by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) authorities in 2017, has been shut down on Saturday by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province together with its capital Lahore after heavy annual losses.Citing sources, the Express Tribune reported that the undertaking was costing Rs 195 million yearly, inflicting a heavy dent to the provincial exchequer.The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) had been offering free web service at public locations for the final a number of years, whereas the undertaking was began to offer the ability at over 200 WiFi hotspots in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi.In January 2019, the undertaking was suspended attributable to non-payment of dues to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL). However, the service was restored later following a public backlash. The closure of the undertaking was affecting a lot of college students in addition to many different widespread residents of the province, The Express Tribune reported.The undertaking was scrapped final 12 months and now the board, in collaboration with the Punjab authorities, was contemplating numerous proposals to offer sustainable WiFi facility to the residents, PITB officers stated.