A meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom was chaired by Aminul Haque. The agenda of the meeting included the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024 once again.
The chairman of the Committee stated that all members wanted sufficient time to discuss the bill. He invited members to share their thoughts or concerns regarding the bill.
Committee member Sharmila Faruqi criticized the lack of a clear roadmap for the bill. She stated that the discussions were not providing clarity and suggested that the Ministry should present a proper plan to the committee.
Committee member Omer Ayub questioned the urgency of the Digital Nation Plan. He suggested involving experts and taking more time for discussions and highlighted the need for transparency and consultation with stakeholders. He also criticized the creation of a new bureaucracy under the plan.
Shaza Fatima, Minister of State for IT briefed the committee on the proposed bill, emphasizing that it was drafted by her and not copied from elsewhere. She stressed the importance of digitalization for Pakistan, warning that without it, the country could regress to the “stone age.” She also highlighted that technology does not wait, and delays send a message of global non-seriousness.
Fatima explained that the bill empowers citizens by enabling them to use services like ID cards, passports, and business registration digitally. She also mentioned that the bill was developed in consultation with international and local experts, including the World Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Asian Development Bank.
Another committee member Arbab Alam criticized the sudden introduction of the bill, stating that the committee was not informed earlier. He expressed concerns about the lack of private members in the proposed 17-member commission.
Zulfiqar Bhatti suggested that the government seemed to be rushing the bill, similar to how the country is being run. He added that the bill should address common issues like internet speed and VPN access.
Romina Khurshid Alam supported the bill, calling it a necessity of the time, and urged the committee to pass the bill while allowing for further additions and improvements.
Pauline questioned whether the federal government could legislate on IT, as it is a provincial subject, and stressed the need for consultation with all stakeholders.
Shaza Fatima added that digitalization is not a cheap project as it requires significant funding. Countries like China and India took 15-24 years to achieve digitalization. She said that the bill aims to empower citizens and transfer power from the state to the people.
The World Bank is a partner in this program, and the Asian Development Bank is conducting a major study on Pakistan’s digitalization. The government is committed to supporting the IT industry, ensuring uninterrupted internet access, and working on fiberization and spectrum policies. IT exports have increased by 25% annually.
The Digital Nation Pakistan Bill was postponed for further consultation yet again. The Chairman invited members to submit their suggestions for the bill.
