Islamabad: The Pakistan Digital Authority could gain broad powers to regulate federal public-sector data under the proposed National Data Governance Policy 2026, according to the policy document.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication prepared the proposed framework.
The policy designates the Pakistan Digital Authority as the national body for issuing standards, overseeing implementation and enforcing compliance across federal public bodies.
The authority would issue binding directions to ministries, departments and public-sector entities.
It would also oversee the National Open Data Portal, the National Data Exchange (WASL), and the National Data Catalogue.
The policy would empower the authority to conduct periodic audits of federal public bodies. It would also require corrective actions where agencies fail to meet data governance standards. The proposed framework would require every federal public body to appoint an Agency Chief Data Officer.
The chief data officer would maintain data inventories, ensure lawful data use and report incidents and compliance status to the authority.
The policy proposes a National Data Governance Council chaired by the authority. The council would include representatives from the federal government, provincial governments, sectoral regulators and other stakeholders.
Read: Telecommunication Amendment Bill 2026 Report Submitted
The forum would coordinate and harmonise data governance across Pakistan. The authority would also publish a National Data Maturity Index each year.
The index would assess compliance standards across public bodies and guide corrective actions. The persistent non-compliance could trigger enforcement action under applicable laws.
The proposed policy notes that personal data rights would remain under the authority created through Pakistan’s future personal data protection law.
The Pakistan Digital Authority framework would take effect after Cabinet approval and publication in the official Gazette.
