Federal Govt Tables ‘Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024’ in National Assembly ; What is in it?

Islamabad: The federal government on Monday tabled the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, 2024 in the National Assembly (NA), marking a significant step toward establishing a unified digital identity for citizens and centralizing social, economic, and governance data.

The bill, presented by Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, was earlier approved by federal cabinet in June this year. It aims to transform Pakistan into a digitally empowered nation by fostering a dynamic digital society, a robust digital economy, and efficient governance through paperless systems.

The bill aims to improve public service delivery, modernize governance, increase transparency, and accelerate sustainable development in recognition of the potential of digital technology to spur innovation, economic growth, and societal well-being.

Key Structures and Vision

Addressing an event in Islamabad earlier on Monday, Shaza Fatima reiterated the bill’s significance, expressing optimism that it would soon be passed into law. “The commission would be headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and all Chief Ministers (CMs) of the four provinces would be a part of it alongside heads of all major regulatory bodies in the country, including Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and other important data pools.”

She further explained, “The commission will be followed by a Pakistan Digital Authority, which will ensure a robust and comprehensive national framework and a masterplan blueprint for national digitisation, which intends to focus on three verticals i.e. economy, governance and society.”

Highlighting the bill’s cornerstone, Shaza Fatima added, “We are hoping that with the creation of a unified digital identity for every citizen of Pakistan, we will be well on a pathway towards unlocking the true potential that this country holds.”

Governance Framework

To execute this vision, the bill proposes the establishment of key governance bodies:

• National Digital Commission (NDC): Chaired by the Prime Minister and comprising federal and provincial leadership, it will set the strategic vision and policy framework for Pakistan’s digital transformation.
• Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA): Responsible for implementing the NDC’s policies by coordinating and harmonizing digital initiatives across federal, provincial, and local levels.
• Strategic Oversight Committee (SOC): Tasked with monitoring PDA’s performance and providing independent reviews to the NDC to ensure alignment with the National Digital Masterplan.

National Digital Masterplan

The National Digital Masterplan is a key pillar of the bill, outlining a comprehensive strategy to align and optimize digital initiatives while eliminating redundancies at all levels of governance. It aims to drive economic growth through improved public service delivery and technological advancement. The plan includes, specific projects, resource allocation, timelines and risk management strategies.

The implementation of this master plan is to achieve the integration of digital infrastructure to improve the innovation system, promote effective public services, and protect the privacy of citizens.

The bill also focuses on reliable data administration so that data held in digital form is safely and efficiently managed. It outlines a vision for building a digital public platform and the data sharing mechanisms that will drive innovation, enhance services, and safeguard people’s rights.

Further, it captures Pakistan’s purpose to embrace digital technologies as a tool for economic development, for embracing a new wave of innovative governance, and for breaking barriers of digital divide in the country keeping in line with the global trends in the digital era.

The Bill lays the groundwork for a digital transformation that aims to place Pakistan at the forefront of the global digital economy. The bill’s strong foundation and clear goal usher in a new age of innovation, openness, and development.