IT Minister’s Push for Digital Nation Bill 2024 Sparks Backlash from Parliamentarians
Staff Report :
The IT Minister’s effort to expedite the passage of the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024 through a parliamentary committee has raised concerns among lawmakers who demand a thorough examination of the bill.
A meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology was convened to deliberate on the proposed legislation. Minister Syed Amin-ul-Haque presided over the session.Pakistan to push for more climate finance flows at upcoming global climate talks in Baku
Delays come with significant consequences, warned Shaza Fatima, emphasizing that if the bill is not approved today, it will face a 1.5-month delay due to the upcoming winter break. She added that the National Assembly will discuss the bill tomorrow, where modifications can still be made. She urged the members to approve the bill to avoid losing two months.
The meeting was organized with a singular focus on the Digital Nation Bill, which was introduced in the National Assembly yesterday by IT Minister Shaza Fatima.
Sharmila Faruqi stated that while the bill is a positive step, it needs additional debate. She pointed out that members had not been adequately informed. The bill proposes the establishment of a commission and an authority, but certain aspects, such as the “data exchange layer,” remain unclear.
Sher Ali Arbab criticized the rushed timeline, noting that the bill was introduced on Monday and approval is being sought on Tuesday. He recommended holding a follow-up meeting within two or three days.
The bill’s significance cannot be overstated, stated Syed Ali Qasim Gilani, though assembling all 17 members for consensus remains a challenge. The proposed commission will involve Chief Ministers from all four provinces alongside key ministers.
The IT Secretary explained that the “data exchange layer” functions as an interchange layer bus. Feedback was sought from the Pakistan Software Houses Association (PASHA), and all relevant stakeholders were consulted during the drafting process.
Dr. Mahesh Kumar proposed that Pakistani experts working abroad should also be involved in this initiative, and political parties should be taken into confidence.
Shaza Fatima assured members that political leadership would be engaged ahead of the National Assembly debate scheduled for tomorrow.
The Standing Committee decided to defer the approval of the Digital Nation Bill until Wednesday to allow further consultations.
During the meeting, IT Secretary Zarar Hasham Khan highlighted the importance of digital economies, societies, and governance in modern nations. He noted that processes like HEC degree verification will become more efficient.
The proposed system is based on global best practices and aims to enhance digital infrastructure for the common citizen. Minister of State Shaza Fatima Khawaja called it a historic initiative that will address bureaucratic hurdles, streamline governance, and benefit sectors like health by improving disease tracking. Key departments such as Excise, FBR, Licensing, SECP, and the State Bank will be interconnected under this initiative.
The World Bank has allocated $78 million under the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP) to fund the system’s immediate implementation. The law, prepared under DEEP, targets the rollout of foundational digital infrastructure by August 14, 2025, integrating all existing databases.
The National Digital Commission, which will oversee the initiative, will include the Chief Ministers of all provinces, underscoring its national importance.
A National Digital Master Plan is also under development to replace individual ministry data centers with a centralized system. Existing facilities such as those managed by NTC and NADRA will be integrated. Committee Chairman Syed Amin-ul-Haque emphasized the need for a unified Digital Public Infrastructure.
Emerging technologies demand regulatory frameworks, said Shaza Fatima, urging the swift finalization of legislation and the involvement of global experts. She highlighted the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the world and its critical role in the initiative.
