Pakistan Launches Digital Nation Bill to Transform Society and Economy
December 17, 2024
The government's digital initiatives are designed to enhance connectivity and infrastructure while promoting ICT services for socio-economic growth and digital inclusion.
This legislation, approved by the federal cabinet in June 2024, seeks to establish a digital identity for every citizen, consolidating social, economic, and governance data.
The national digital masterplan will serve as a comprehensive blueprint for guiding digital initiatives and regulatory standards across the country.
The National Assembly has introduced the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024, aiming to transform the country into a digital society, economy, and governance framework.
A central feature of the Act is the creation of a national digital identity system, which will facilitate access to essential services such as birth certificates and health records.
By centralizing public services into a single platform, the Act aims to streamline processes like degree attestation and passport applications, thereby reducing bureaucratic delays.
The World Bank is supporting the implementation of the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP) with $78 million, which is expected to kick off in January 2025.
Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, announced the formation of a National Digital Commission, chaired by the Prime Minister, to oversee the 'Digital Pakistan' vision.
The initiative also promotes a cashless economy through digital wallet technologies, which aim to increase transparency and improve tax collection efforts.
The digital ID program draws inspiration from successful initiatives in countries like the UAE, India, and Estonia, focusing on improving service access across government departments.
The committee has postponed the bill's approval until December 18, 2024, with further discussions scheduled to ensure thorough review and bipartisan support.
To address existing gaps in internet speed and reliability, ongoing initiatives are being emphasized, alongside the need for high-speed connectivity and infrastructure improvements.
Summary based on 5 sources
Get a daily email with more Tech stories
Sources

DAWN.COM • Dec 16, 2024
Digital Nation Pakistan Bill tabled in National Assembly
BiometricUpdate.com • Dec 17, 2024
Pakistan law proposed to transform digital identity system and governance
Dunya News • Dec 17, 2024
Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024 introduced in National Assembly
ProPakistani • Dec 17, 2024
NA Committe Reviews Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024 to Unify Pakistan's Digital Systems