Amidst Metro bus fanfare, Sharjeel Memon promises free WiFi for Karachi
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KARACHI: As strange as it sounds, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon seems to think that free outdoor WiFi may be the answer to Karachi's many woes.
The announcement appears to be an attempt to catch up with the Sindh government's counterparts in Islamabad and Lahore who successfully launched the Metro Bus Project between Rawalpindi and the capital amidst much fanfare yesterday.
"The whole of Karachi will have access to free outdoor WiFi through street lights," Memon said during the inauguration ceremony of a sports complex in the city's Landhi neighbourhood.
He also announced that the Sindh government would convert all street lights in the metropolis to Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), adding that CCTV cameras would be attached to these.
The minister's curious announcement came as the twin cities saw the launch of the metro bus service which is expected to facilitate around 150,000 commuters with 68 buses plying initially. Twenty-four bus stations have been built across the 23km track that consists of a 8.6km elevated portion in Rawalpindi. Each bus will have the capacity to carry 150 passengers and will complete its route within 50 minutes.
During the launch of the metro bus, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also announced that the federal government planned to introduce a Green Line Metro Bus Service in Karachi and also offered to help develop such a facility in Peshawar and Balochistan.
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Comments (82) Closed
Jun 05, 2015 01:15pm
Positive step! Keep going!
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Jun 05, 2015 01:15pm
No comments
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Jun 05, 2015 01:19pm
Healthy Competition
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Jun 05, 2015 01:32pm
Great...How about free cell phone and laptops to use the free wifi?
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Jun 05, 2015 01:36pm
To be honest, PTI and PMLN have done work on the ground and people can see the project. Unfortunately, PPP is just words, not real project.
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Jun 05, 2015 01:37pm
I love anything that comes in free.
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Jun 05, 2015 01:46pm
No issues with free stuff at all. But what would really nice if you unblock YouTube.. and maybe some water too (water is optional actually)
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Jun 05, 2015 01:54pm
Very good, pakistan is rocking
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Jun 05, 2015 01:57pm
Unfortunately, Sindh Government has even failed to restore Mass Circular Train in Karachi which was disrupted in 90s for a reason. Wonder if 'Wifi' will help those who cannot meet both ends.
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Jun 05, 2015 02:04pm
@asad PTI has done really good in at least 4 sectorsnamely education(teachers are regular now due to biometric system) 2- Health sector, 3- Police deptt. 4-Patwari system. Overall their perfomance is far better than other provinces. PML-N has done good on Metros but the subsidies are too much.
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Jun 05, 2015 02:14pm
It's official now; they have lost it!
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Jun 05, 2015 02:24pm
give us streetlights and water first you con
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Jun 05, 2015 02:26pm
its ok if Karachi has been deprived from water electricity these are not necessary at all FREE WIFI is it will improved Karachi lifestyle
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Jun 05, 2015 02:43pm
From what I hear, most Karachiites don't even take their expensive smart phones out in public due to the fear of phone snatchers. And in this city of 20 million, how many people actually have phones which can even connect to wifi?
So this free wifi business seems quite pointless.
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Jun 05, 2015 02:57pm
What a pity. The city with no water, electricity, worst public transport system and high rise slums would have free Wifi
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Jun 05, 2015 03:01pm
There is fundamentally wrong with these incompetent lot! they cant provide water to people but offer free WiFi instead!
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Jun 05, 2015 03:02pm
Sir don't you think that Free Wifi among the streets of Karachi may cause increase in road accidents?
How does a under-salary person who does not afford to have a smart phone may avail the facility of Wifi?
Dont you think that Metro Bus service will entertain the citizens of Metropolis from ground to the upper level??
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Jun 05, 2015 03:03pm
just Lies , PPP cannot do this simle task also.
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Jun 05, 2015 03:05pm
PMLN will never work beyond Punjab. Even in Punjab PMLN will never look beyond Lahore and Rawalpindi. I wonder why people of other provinces than Punjab and people from other cities of Punjab than Lahore and Rawalpindi vote for PMLN.
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Jun 05, 2015 03:08pm
In the dreams.
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Jun 05, 2015 03:14pm
PML N knows very well that if they only work in Punjab and then only win elections in Punjab , they can win majority votes and can win the Premiership of Pakistan.
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Jun 05, 2015 03:17pm
This is the most ridiculous suggestion. 3G rates in Pakistan are very cheap compared to developed countries, Karachi doesn't need Wifi, Karachi needs a mass transport system. Those who can afford smart phones can afford wifi at their homes and can also afford internet packages. No wonder why Sindh is so less developed, they don't have ideas let alone the will.
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Jun 05, 2015 03:19pm
That's ridiculous. Sindh government never failed to shock us with their ridiculous statements and immature acts.
schemes like free WiFi may have some benefits but it will cripple the masses who will stick to the WiFi poles all day long using proxies to gain access to YouTube watching stupid videos. Failed attempt by sindh govt to match Punjab and KP
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Jun 05, 2015 03:19pm
@Ahmad sir the thing is infrastructure is domain of provincial govt nd in punjab we do see them working so this is why we vote . putting this in perspective please enlighten me wat any oder party did like pti pppp mqm or any other. we believe in seeing results not fake promises
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Jun 05, 2015 03:21pm
Perfect phrase for you is "There is an elephant in the room and nobody see it"
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Jun 05, 2015 03:22pm
We need water, electricity , Mass transit.Please dont give us peanuts.
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Jun 05, 2015 03:22pm
I wonder what Sindh government's official smoke. For this lunacy, it must be something out of this world.
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Jun 05, 2015 03:23pm
You need to pay for electricity for the street lights before you give us free WiFi. This proves that we get the leadership that we deserve. And we keep vooting this mob in!
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Jun 05, 2015 03:38pm
@SR you can collect your free laptop in Punjab, use free wifi in Karachi and after all that still vote for PTI.
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Jun 05, 2015 03:48pm
the streets are going to look like a rain day when all the rain flies come out and surround ur bulbs
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Jun 05, 2015 03:50pm
Can we download water from the internet? Just asking
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Jun 05, 2015 03:57pm
That's just a good way spreading cancer through radiowaves.
They could rather provide all of Karachi with an uninterrupted supply of chlorinated water, clean our streets and alleys up, fix our roads and pavements, and build a mass transit system and wipe away all the criminals,terrorists and extortionists but I guess that's too much to ask for so all we get is Sindh festival.
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Jun 05, 2015 03:57pm
They will.. They will.. They will..
Continue to fool the people. History tells us they havnt done a thing except for looting.
Whats the point of free wifi when people cant get access to basic amenities?
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Jun 05, 2015 04:17pm
... and yes, you can only expect these kind of non serious stupid statements from Sindh Govt. only. Their statements reflect how serious they are in solving the problems of Sind. They have no plans whatsoever for the development of Sindh.
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Jun 05, 2015 04:17pm
What happened to clean water, electricity, transportation, employment. Shows how little you know about problems.
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Jun 05, 2015 04:26pm
Great Job Mr Sharjeel.
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Jun 05, 2015 04:29pm
Unfortunately these are totally disconnected decision makers. They do not had any vision to realise what actually is the basic need of the People. Wasting billions of tax payers money on these lavish projects which enable them and their families easy money.
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Jun 05, 2015 04:30pm
karachi is thirsty for water!!!!!
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Jun 05, 2015 04:32pm
Please resolve the issue of water first.
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Jun 05, 2015 04:34pm
It is good step if Government of Sindh also finishes it well !!! But I think they have too also expend money on education, electricity, water projects and etc !!!
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Jun 05, 2015 04:41pm
@Ghazanfer Hahaha !!! off course NO YAR !!!
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Jun 05, 2015 04:45pm
Law and order, land mafia, poverty alleviation first then gimmicks like wifi etc. get priorities right.
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Jun 05, 2015 05:02pm
Unfortunately entire province of sindh is under control of shady people with evil intentions.
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Jun 05, 2015 05:09pm
The federal government should not allow such steps since a Free Wifi will wipe all Telecom companies from Karachi. Also it is not technically feasible. It needs more than a terabyte capacity per second that will cost the local government in billions. PPPP must devise a new strategy where they can give some subsidy but an entire free service. Foreign investment will be stagnated when telecom companies will refuse to invest more because of these steps. This will reduce the Revenue of the Federal government in billions. In the end the whole divisible pool of funds to the provinces will be reduced. Also Wifi is very easy to hack and it is a security threat on its own.
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Jun 05, 2015 05:11pm
You are NOT a coffee shop or restaurant owner, show your leadership.
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Jun 05, 2015 05:16pm
At least competition between provinces making life better at some extend! Good.
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Jun 05, 2015 05:38pm
LOL through street lamps... Way to go mate. The street lights don't even emit light and talking about WiFi signals.
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Jun 05, 2015 05:40pm
He is cooking another money making scheme!
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Jun 05, 2015 05:53pm
@Dawn-admirer Plz keep voting for them. You deserve free WIFI...lol
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Jun 05, 2015 06:25pm
Mr. Memon has no idea of the required infrastructure, even google picks small cities for google fiber, they don't dare to offer New York or Francisco, Karachi is literally huge in size and at least double in population.
My guess is we will see SSID on few streets but this is about it.
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Jun 05, 2015 06:31pm
Sharjeel, great job you'll live in history to implement free wifi in Karachi. We suggest you extend it along Super Hiway to Hyderabad. Why?because you will surpass India as Nitish Kumar the CM of Bihar provided free wifi connecting cities along Hiways. We're waiting to see when it's implemented earlier than Lahore to Rawalpindi free wifi project.
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Jun 05, 2015 06:40pm
ppp has been running sind gov as a corporation for profit to it's directors only most of the time partnering with mqm. Do not expect anything from them.
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Jun 05, 2015 06:47pm
Can we kindly first get some water in karachi!!!
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Jun 05, 2015 06:48pm
Can we kindly first get sime water for the karachiites!!!
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Jun 05, 2015 06:50pm
people in karachi are suffering from that outdated transport system, before wifi, pls do something about transportation, that chinkchi rikhshaw is a biggest headache when you are heading towards offices in the morning, they cause a major jam, we need a mass transit system
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Jun 05, 2015 06:54pm
So he cant provide water and wants to give wifi. So the poor, hapless people of Larachi are expected to enjoy 'virtual' showers in this scorching June weather. Brightness of the PPP politicians is surely laudable!
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Jun 05, 2015 07:10pm
The whole of Karachi will have access to free outdoor WiFi through street lights providing there is electricity and lights in the city. I just winder who is about to make millions out of this project?
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Jun 05, 2015 08:22pm
Would be better if you focus on providing free and fearless air to breath!
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Jun 05, 2015 08:22pm
epic preliminary text...!
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Jun 05, 2015 08:35pm
can we download food, power, water and basic necessities from this new WIFI system. Guys awam is dying from hunger, they don't need wifi, they need basic stuff for survival. ....PPP is worst govt. and MQM is also part of them
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Jun 05, 2015 08:43pm
So does WiFi work when there is a power break down and streets are not lit?
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Jun 05, 2015 09:24pm
Sounds like a great idea. Give him credit for that.
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Jun 05, 2015 09:49pm
Free WiFI will encourage more terror Mr. Sharjeel. Improve basic needs in Karachi.
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Jun 05, 2015 09:50pm
Pakistanis are looking towards the heaven when their looted money syphoned out by the corrupts of this country will return back from abroad.
Till then we enjoy metro and free wife.
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Jun 05, 2015 10:05pm
Dont expect politician to change the scenario they do have their fare share in plunder and devastatio of the state !!! But they are the mere resonance of the people and their virtuous ..
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Jun 05, 2015 10:32pm
Since how many times PPP and MQM came into power what they gave to the people of Sindh or Karachi ??
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Jun 05, 2015 10:33pm
Hollow promises!
As long as Corrupt Waderas are not dealt with, no improvement of things in store!
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Jun 05, 2015 11:07pm
What is the exigency here? Communication? Information? Come on! Be realistic and practical. Even the West does not offer free Wi-Fi in many of their cities. Cameras at intersections? Does the present power scenario support this ideology? Who's going to monitor? What about enforcement! Does the city of Karachi have the right kind of people and infrastructure to support and sustain this type of ambitious project? I don't think so!
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Jun 05, 2015 11:34pm
Bholey minister!
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Jun 05, 2015 11:48pm
Healthy competition is a good competition. We need more of that :)
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Jun 05, 2015 11:51pm
Sad and it shows PPP's mental maturity. People of Karachi needs basic necessities such as clean water, electricity, security, transportation, healthcare, etc., not WIFI. It is a joke, really!!
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Jun 05, 2015 11:51pm
@SR
Well this is a billion dollar question, you should ask minister.
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Jun 06, 2015 12:04am
It will never happen... this is another scam to make billions just like the crackdown against illegal water hydrants...now you pay twice as much for the same tanker in karachi which should have had its price slashed to half of what it originally was due to reduction in diesel rates...thank u sharjiel memon
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Jun 06, 2015 12:09am
As if free Wi-Fi would solve the chronic transportation problems of the people of Karachi!Stupid remark from a below-average politician! Controversial or otherwise, people of Rawalpindi-Islamabad now at least have a Metro system they can be proud of. What has the Sindh government provided to the people to solve their transportation needs?
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Jun 06, 2015 01:29am
O karachittes eat free signals, with a drop of water once a day. It is necessary for survival. Look PPP does not let you die. How they take care of your houses to bring out of there in the street.
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Jun 06, 2015 02:03am
this basically means a huge contract for routers, cables, leds etc and billions of dollars tenders and millions of kick backs. great work guys.
great idea sharjeel sb. jiye bhutto.
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Jun 06, 2015 02:50am
So, how would it help those like the laborers? This shows the complete lack of ideas and the sense of disconnect that these people have.
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Jun 06, 2015 04:04am
Big joke Sharjeel Memon, first give water, education, electric & law order Karachi, transport you & your CM ruling last 7 yrs what is your progress report, city has been damaged with junk or garbage, gutter liking, no transport, CM is too old to work let him rest and active person with honest appoint, otherwise Karachi will modern day Mohanjo Daro.
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Jun 06, 2015 04:52am
And what are Karachiites supposed to do with it? It will be another tool for terrorists to use.
How about better security for the common people, power, water, education(includes religious).
This competition between city governments is as usual a cheap tactic to divert masses from waking up and asking for their rights. Plus such plans allow for these crooks to swallow large sums of money in the name developmental projects, e.g., yellow cabs (PML-N) and green buses (MQM).
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Jun 06, 2015 07:41am
Let's ride the wifi to work/school etc.. This PPP govt is a procession of thugs.
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Jun 06, 2015 09:31am
Funny...free WiFi streets but YouTube is banned.
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Jun 06, 2015 10:14am
We need basic necessities like water, electrify, gas and petrol first and then anything else. Sindh ministers like Sindh government are living in fools paradise.
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