The Data Protection Bill, designed to protect the personal data of Pakistani users, has been pending for several years due to concerns from security agencies about the lack of cross-border data protection. These concerns have highlighted the urgency of passing the bill.
Since 2018, various drafts of the bill have been created, but disagreements among stakeholders have impeded progress. Now, Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, is leading the efforts for its early approval. The draft is expected to be completed by the end of July and presented to parliament in August.
International social media platforms, including Facebook, have raised reservations about specific provisions of the bill. Minister Shaza Fatima has engaged in discussions with international stakeholders to address these concerns. “We have had two meetings with international stakeholders on the Data Protection Bill,” she said in an interview.
The main issue revolves around cross-border data transfer, which she is working to resolve. “We have said that sensitive data cannot be allowed to cross borders,” Shaza Fatima emphasized.
She acknowledged the differing views on cybersecurity and open data policies between the Pakistani government and international social media companies but reassured that the bill is not immutable. “International companies have been told that even after the approval of the bill in its current form, amendments can be made,” she added.
The minister assured that the bill, once finalized, will be presented to parliament in August for approval. “The Data Protection Bill, in whatever form, will be tabled in parliament in August for approval,” Shaza Fatima confirmed, adding, “The bill is not set in stone; if there is any problem, it can be amended later also.”
