NA Committe Reviews Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024 to Unify Pakistan’s Digital Systems

A meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology took place to review the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024. The meeting was chaired by Minister Syed Amin-ul-Haque. The meeting of the Standing Committee on Information Technology was convened with a one-point agenda. The bill was presented in the National Assembly yesterday by IT Minister Shaza Fatima. During the meeting, IT Secretary Zarar Hasham Khan commented that modern societies are built on digital economies, digital societies, and digital governance. Tasks like degree verification from HEC or other similar processes will be streamlined. A new system is being introduced after studying global practices and standards and this digital transformation will benefit the common man. Minister of State Shaza Fatima Khawaja added that this is a historic initiative for Pakistan. The law will eliminate red tape and other challenges and bureaucratic delays in ministries will also be addressed. The health sector will benefit, as the system will help track the spread of diseases. Departments like Excise, FBR, Licensing, SECP, and the State Bank will be interconnected. Funds are available to immediately mobilize this system as the World Bank provided $78 million in funding for the DEEP (Digital Economy Enhancement Project). The law has been prepared under the DEEP project, which will establish this system. The goal is to introduce the basic infrastructure for digital transformation by August 14, 2025. All existing databases will be linked to this system. Chief Ministers of all four provinces will be included in the National Digital Commission, as this is a national cause. Additionally, a National Digital Master Plan is being developed. Instead of creating separate data centers with public funds, there should be a centralized data center. Ministries currently have their own data centers, which should be discontinued. NTC and NADRA already have data centers, while private entities have their own. Currently, all Election Commission data is with NTC, according to Committee Chairman Syed Amin-ul-Haque. However, there should be a Digital Public Infrastructure with a unified data system. Emerging technologies need regulation, said Shaza Fatima. The legislation should be completed as soon as possible and global experts are needed for emerging technologies. Artificial Intelligence has transformed the world. The Digital Nation Bill requires further discussion, said Sharmila Faruqi. While the initiative is good, members were not kept in the loop. The bill proposes the creation of a commission and an authority. There is ambiguity in the bill, particularly regarding the “data exchange layer.” The bill was presented yesterday, and now approval is being sought today, which is rushed, said Sher Ali Arbab. A follow-up meeting should be held in two or three days, he suggested. The bill is of significant importance, said Syed Ali Qasim Gilani. The bill should be approved, but gathering all 17 members is a challenge. The commission will include Chief Ministers of all four provinces and key ministers. The “data exchange layer” is essentially an interchange layer bus, explained the IT Secretary. Feedback on the software was taken from PASHA (Pakistan Software Houses Association). All stakeholders were consulted on the Digital Nation Bill. Delays are costly, and if the bill is not approved today, there will be a 1.5-month break due to winter holidays, said Shaza Fatima. The bill will be discussed in the National Assembly tomorrow, and amendments can be made there, she added. Members should approve the bill to save two months. Pakistani experts abroad need to be brought in for this initiative. Political parties should be taken into confidence, suggested Dr. Mahesh Kumar. Political leadership will be consulted before the National Assembly debate tomorrow, said Shaza Fatima. In conclusion, the standing Committee postponed the Digital Nation Bill until tomorrow. A follow-up meeting will be held tomorrow for further consultation on the bill.