MoU signed: Karachi to start getting free WiFi, CCTV, solar-powered street lights by end of 2015

The $20m first phase of installing the systems in Karachi will be installed from Do Talwar to Shahrahe Faisal

KARACHI: Sindh government on Saturday signed memorandums of understanding for installing solar street lights, CCTV cameras as well as “free” WiFi facilities in 2015, as part of the Karachi Smart City project.

According to a statement issued on Saturday, Sindh Information and Local Government Minister Sharjeel Inaam Memon singed MoUs with three companies of Dubai, China and USA for installing the systems in Karachi.

The first phase of installing these systems is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Providing details on the project, Memon said that the first phase will see modern solar street lights, free Wi-Fi and CCTV camera installation work in Karachi, starting from Do-Talwar Clifton to Shahrae Faisal. This phase is expected to cost $20 million, out of a project cost of $200 million.

“I am committed to make Karachi smart and turn it into a city of lights,” Memon added.

Among others, the US Company Rick David is also expected to invest in Karachi to install CCTV and Wi-Fi.

“The free Wi-Fi and CCTV camera will be installed on every street. Police and law enforcement agencies can also benefit from this modern CCTV system to track the criminals,” he said.

“After this MoU we will work on solar energy in order to minimise the energy crises.”

Referring to the law and order situation in the city, he said that the provincial government was serious in taking the concrete steps to wipe out all kind of crime from Karachi.

“The terrorism, street crime, kidnapping for ransom extortion and other kind of criminals activities have now come to an end with the ongoing operation carried by police and Rangers in the city.”