The Senate’s Information Technology and Telecom Committee has officially approved the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025, despite objections and a proposal for amendments. The bill was passed with four votes in favor and two against, with Senators Kamran Murtaza and Saifullah Niazi opposing it. The committee also rejected amendments to Section 7, introduced by Senator Murtaza, by a majority vote.
The session, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, was convened to deliberate on the bill, which aims to enhance Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, align it with modern technological standards, and stimulate sectoral growth. During the meeting, Senator Murtaza raised concerns about the bill’s potential to interfere with provincial autonomy, proposing amendments to address these issues. However, after discussion, the committee decided not to accept the changes.
Key Features of the Bill
Despite the debates, the original bill was approved. It calls for the creation of a 17-member National Digital Commission, chaired by the Prime Minister, which will include the chief ministers of all provinces, federal ministers, and heads of key institutions such as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), NADRA, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
The commission’s main role will be overseeing the creation and implementation of a National Digital Master Plan to transform Pakistan into a fully digital nation. It will also ensure coordination among various government entities and take action against any failures to implement the master plan.
Additionally, the bill proposes the formation of the Pakistan Digital Authority, which will be responsible for implementing the master plan. The authority will be led by a chairman and members appointed by the Prime Minister for a four-year term. A Strategic Oversight Committee will monitor the authority’s performance, with the relevant federal minister acting as its chair.
Concerns Raised During the Meeting
The committee discussed several concerns regarding the bill’s resource allocation. Senator Manzoor Kakar stressed the importance of ensuring that provinces receive their rightful share. The Ministry of IT’s Secretary assured the committee that provincial representation would be included in the commission’s structure. Senator Kakar also inquired about financial support for the bill, and the IT Ministry Secretary confirmed that the World Bank had approved $78 million for the Deep Project.
Senator Palwasha Khan raised concerns about the absence of the Minister of State for IT, Shiza Fatima, from the meeting. Ministry officials explained that the minister’s absence was due to the recent passing of a close relative.
Senate IT Committee Discussion
Earlier, the committee held an extended session to discuss the bill further. While many members supported the legislation, there were concerns about the speed of its passage. Senator Murtaza questioned the urgency of approving the bill, suggesting that a more thorough review was necessary due to its broad implications.
Senator Anusha Rehman, however, emphasized the bill’s goal of digitalizing Pakistan under the “Digital Nation” framework. She noted that the agency overseeing the initiative would be seeking global grants to fund the project but raised concerns about ensuring that these funds would be distributed equitably to the provinces.
The committee also heard from the Secretary of IT and Telecom, who explained that sectoral plans would be developed as part of the digital transformation master plan. These plans would ensure that funding is fairly allocated to provinces through the National Digital Commission.
Provinces’ Input on the Digital Nation Bill
Senator Murtaza raised the issue of provincial consultation, expressing concerns about the bill’s impact on regional governance. However, officials from the Ministry of Law clarified that since the bill falls under federal jurisdiction, written feedback from the provinces was not required.
Senator Kakar reiterated the importance of ensuring that provinces receive their fair share of funding, while Senator Khan raised concerns about the possibility of bureaucrats misappropriating funds, stating, “We don’t want bureaucrats drawing hefty salaries and absorbing funds without proper use.”
Data Protection Bill
The discussion also turned to the issue of data protection. Senator Khan highlighted the absence of a dedicated data protection bill, stressing the need for one as Pakistan moves toward a digital future. She suggested holding a public hearing on Senator Afnanullah’s proposed Data Protection Bill, as the Ministry of IT has yet to introduce its own.
Senator Rehman supported the Digital Nation Bill, particularly its potential to address data security challenges, especially regarding NADRA, which has faced criticism over the sale of citizens’ biometric data.
Following today’s approval, the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025 is expected to proceed, marking a significant step toward strengthening Pakistan’s digital infrastructure.
