Lahore now offers free wi-fi access to the public at most locations in the city. The idea is to facilitate those in emergency situations, but also surveillance
We are living in a digital world where the buzzwords are AI, automation and so on. Lahore is on its way to becoming a smart city. As the city embraces digital technology for surveillance, it’s expected to offer free connectivity to the public at most locations.
Launched by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority in February this year, initially at 60-odd locations in downtown Lahore, the wi-fi service is currently available at over 200 suburban areas, such as Manga Mandi, Multan Road, Bund Road, Chuhsng, Shahpur Kanjran, Sundar, Valencia and Maraka. Another 200 locations in Lahore are being added to the list.
This is part of the Punjab government’s Digital Punjab vision, aimed at providing essential online connectivity to everyone, especially in emergencies.
Muhammad Ali, a resident of Manga Mandi and a student at the Punjab University, relates an incident where the free wi-fi service proved to be his lifeline. “My father is a diabetic. One morning, he woke up feeling uneasy; the next minute he collapsed,” Ali recalls. “My mobile phone had no balance, so there was no way I could call my cousin who’s a doctor, for help. Luckily, the free wi-fi at the nearby crossing helped me connect with them.”
The PSCA claims that every location is being equipped with devices that provide a 300-foot wi-fi range in the gadget radius. This connectivity is not just for emergencies and the PSCA-designed mobile apps, but also permits the public to access a variety of applications, particularly those to do with booking a ride.
Interestingly, you cannot access social media except for WhatsApp. Similarly, you can’t avail video streaming.
Fahad Khan, a student at a private university in Muslim Town, uses the service to download educational materials. “Access to free wi-fi means I do not have to worry about data limits,” he says. “It’s a huge relief, especially for students like me who rely on online resources.”
The digital transformation of Lahore comes at a price. As Aurat March notes, it translates into an invasion of individuals’ privacy. The organisation demands an end to surveillance in the name of ‘safe city’ and free wi-fi connectivity, saying they perpetuate a paternalistic model of women’s safety.
In Gulberg, small business owner Arif uses the service to expand his business operations as he orders supplies online.
The head of CIRCLE Women’s Association, Sadaffe Abid, who has been working on enhancing digital literacy and empowerment of women in Pakistan, says that access to the internet in today’s world is a fundamental human right. She says the government should also invest in women’s digital literacy and digital inclusion.
The question arises as to how will one access the emergency applications or avail the service if one is mugged on the road or one has a damaged cell phone. In order to address such issues, the PSCA has installed 15 Emergency Panic Buttons at 100 locations in the city.
These buttons, located along major roads, connect directly with the 15 emergency teams and ensure quick response. Also, in areas where mobile phone signals are not available or are weak, or if someone does not have a phone, these buttons offer instant connectivity to police and emergency officials.
Shahida Begum, a vegetable vendor on the Canal, is all praise for these measures. “The panic button near my shop makes me feel secure. Knowing that help is just a key press away gives us peace of mind,” she says.
You can’t have peace of mind on the road if the traffic isn’t smooth. Lahore has pioneered the use of AI for traffic management. The PSCA’s advanced cameras have the ability to detect 19 different traffic violations. The e-challan with photo evidence is then sent directly to the violator’s address. This system, which utilises Automatic Number Plate Recognition, has greatly improved traffic flow in the city. “I think 10 times before jumping a traffic signal since the AI cameras were installed [on city roads],” says Rashid Ali, a student who commutes to his university on a motorcycle from Johar Town. “I am more cautious now. I know I could be ticketed if I break the rules.”
The digital transformation of Lahore comes at a price. As Aurat March notes, it translates into an invasion of individuals’ privacy. The organisation demands an end to surveillance in the name of ‘safe city’ and free wi-fi connectivity, saying they perpetuate a paternalistic model of women’s safety.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Ahsan Malik
Quelle/Source: The News on Sunday, 28.07.2024
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