Key Points
- Three new bodies proposed
- Prime minister to head one of them
- Bill likely to pass
ISLAMABAD: With an aim to transform Pakistan into a digital frontier, Pakistan’s National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has passed “The Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024.”
Amidst this legislative progress, concerns were also raised regarding Elon Musk’s recurring remarks about purported grooming gangs in the UK allegedly linked to Pakistanis.
Following extensive discussions and proposed changes, the National Assembly (NA) Secretariat revealed that 17 members participated in the voting. The heated session featured Minister of State for IT and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, responding to PTI’s apprehensions regarding potential data centralisation and privacy infringements.
She assured the committee that “the bill is designed to foster a more efficient digital identity system, facilitating easier access to government services and alleviating bureaucratic delays”.
Khawaja emphasised that the initiative would not consolidate data in one location, addressing the key fears expressed by the opposition.
The bill is designed to foster a more efficient digital identity system, facilitating easier access to government services and alleviating bureaucratic delays.” – Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja
She also pointed out significant investments aimed at bolstering cybersecurity infrastructure, aligning with the broader goals of the digital master plan.
The minister highlighted the convenience of accessing services via mobile phones, eliminating long waits at government offices.
Despite these reassurances, PTI members remained sceptical, warning that the bill could lead to data misuse and urging for further amendments and consultations prior to its passage. However, their objections were ultimately dismissed, allowing the bill to proceed.
“Crucial for digitisation”
Chairman Syed Aminul Haque underscored the “The Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024,” necessity for transitioning Pakistan into a digital society, advocating for the establishment of a shared digital governance ecosystem to foster economic growth and modernity.
He urged that digitisation should be viewed as a technical requirement rather than a political issue.
No centralised data collection
Shaza Fatima Khawaja reassured members that the bill would not centralize data collection but would streamline digital identity and enhance cybersecurity measures.
She asserted that the new legislation would tackle corruption and improve public service delivery by minimising paperwork.
Currently, the lack of coordination among federal and provincial departments hampers digitization efforts, which this bill aims to address.
Three new bodies have been proposed under the bill including the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA), the Strategic Oversight Committee (SOC) and the National Digital Commission (NDC).
The PDA will oversee the national digital master plan, the SOC will be responsible for monitoring the PDA, and the NDC will guide and coordinate the overall digital transformation efforts.
Elon Musk
The committee expressed concern over Elon Musk’s repeated claims about grooming gangs in the UK allegedly tied to Pakistanis, with Senator Palwasha Khan labelling these assertions as targeted disinformation.
The committee learned that both Musk’s Starlink and a Chinese firm are interested in launching satellite internet services in Pakistan, noting that any such provider must adhere to local regulations.
The PTA chairman clarified that satellite services would operate under Pakistani laws, requiring registration and agreements with relevant authorities.
The committee agreed to invite the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) for further insights in their next meeting and instructed the IT ministry officials to relay the committee’s concerns to Starlink representatives.
