The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on IT has approved the Digital Nation Pakistan Amendment Bill 2024 by a majority vote. The bill received 10 votes in favor, while six members opposed it.
Under the bill, the government will establish two new entities: the National Digital Commission and the Pakistan Digital Authority. These institutions aim to integrate various sectors of the country and digitize government operations. The bill also seeks to modernize public services and has implications for citizens’ daily lives.
The National Digital Commission, headed by the Prime Minister, will include the Chief Ministers of all four provinces, key federal ministers, and representatives from NADRA, PTA, and other significant government bodies. One proposal involves creating a digital ID for every citizen, consolidating data on health, education, and assets into one platform.
IT Minister Shaza Fatima stated that the goal is to give citizens control over their identity and documentation. Digital identities will allow for a data exchange layer, enabling information on health, education, and banking to be accessible via mobile devices.
The bill also outlines measures to safeguard digital identities through a robust data exchange layer. However, opposition members criticized the bill’s expedited approval, calling it unnecessary and expressing concerns over the lack of data protection provisions, which they believe raises serious doubts.
