Pakistan is taking a significant step towards its digital future with the introduction of the “Digital Nation Pakistan” legislation in the National Assembly, announced Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja.
The Minister said while addressing an event in Islamabad on Monday:
At 5pm in the National Assembly (NA), the legislation for Digital Nation Pakistan will be introduced. We are hoping that within the next few days, it will be passed as a law with the National Digital Commission coming into form.
This initiative will be overseen by a high-level commission, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The commission will include all four provincial Chief Ministers, as well as the heads of key regulatory bodies. These include the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and other significant data-holding organizations.
Following the establishment of the commission, a Pakistan Digital Authority will be created to develop a strong and complete national framework. This authority will also produce a master plan for national digitization, focusing on three key areas: the economy, governance, and society.
She 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
The federal minister expressed optimism that within the next year, several anticipated developments will lead to a significant improvement in the health of the country’s technology sector.