As digital transformation becomes a global priority, Pakistan is taking a significant legislative initiative. The government will introduce the Digital Nation Pakistan Act in the National Assembly next Monday.
The groundbreaking bill, part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s broader digital strategy, aims to provide every Pakistani citizen with a digital identity and streamline access to essential services.
The Digital Nation Pakistan Act
Senior officials close to the development have outlined the Act’s primary goals, including facilitating access to a wide range of services- birth certificates to health records—through a unified digital platform. This initiative is a key component of the national digital agenda, encompassing economic, social, and governance enhancements.
The proposed legislation will establish two pivotal bodies: the National Digital Commission and the Pakistan Digital Authority. The Commission, led by the Prime Minister and including the four provincial chief ministers and heads of major data-rich organizations such as the State Bank and the Federal Bureau of Revenue, will oversee the strategic direction of national digitization efforts. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Digital Authority will be helmed by top industry experts to execute the digital transformation plans.
Implementation of the Digital Identity System
The Digital Nation Pakistan Act aims to transform the interaction between Pakistani citizens and both government and private sectors through a comprehensive “cradle to grave” digital identity system. This system will allow citizens to access various records and services seamlessly through digital wallets, eliminating the need for physical queues and paperwork for numerous administrative processes.
The Act also aims to foster a cashless economy via digital wallet payments, enhancing economic transparency and boosting government revenue. This digital infrastructure will support data interoperability, allowing efficient information sharing across government departments and healthcare providers.
The initiative emphasises data privacy and security, ensuring only necessary data is accessible to authorized entities. It also includes plans for digital governance, with the federal government transitioning significant portions of its operations to electronic platforms.
A newly developed dashboard will enable the Prime Minister to monitor departmental activities in real-time, significantly enhancing governmental accountability.
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Despite the potential benefits, implementing such a comprehensive digital system raises concerns about privacy and surveillance. However, officials assert that the aim is to emulate successful digital transformation models from countries like the UAE, India, Estonia, and Singapore and not to facilitate government surveillance.
Digital rights organizations will enforce strong privacy safeguards to address privacy issues. The government is committed to closing digital gaps globally and within Pakistan, promoting inclusive growth and expanding access to technology.
A $78 million grant from the World Bank, provided under the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP), supports the initiative. Implementation is scheduled to start at the end of January. This ambitious project also aims to nurture AI-based startups in critical sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, and climate change resilience.
By embracing cutting-edge digital technologies, Pakistan aims to improve civic participation, upgrade public services, and drive economic growth, thus creating a benchmark for digital governance in the region.
