National Assembly Committee Approves Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on January 22 approved the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024. The committee, chaired by Syed Aminul Haque, discussed the bill and considered amendments before conducting a vote, with 11 members voting in favor and six opposing it. Resultantly, the bill was passed by the committee.
During the meeting, the chairman of the committee, Haque, emphasized that the bill aims to transform Pakistan into a digital nation. “The aim is to create a progressive digital society as well as promote a thriving digital economy, for which we need to establish a shared digital governance ecosystem,” he stated.
Members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposed the bill and announced their intention to submit a dissenting note, citing serious reservations about various aspects of the legislation.
PTI members raised strong objections to the bill, urging the government to address their concerns before proceeding. Committee member Omar Ayub criticized the state of the country’s digital infrastructure, alleging that internet speeds were deliberately slowed during PTI rallies. He also quipped that “shark attacks on underwater internet cables have caused severe damage.”
“The digital economy is on the brink of collapse, and we lack the necessary tools to sustain it,” Ayub added. Another PTI member, Umair Niazi, called for more time to address their concerns, stating, “Do not rush this process. Address our reservations first.“
Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, clarified that the bill does not intend to centralize data collection but instead aims to streamline digital identity management and enhance cybersecurity measures. She stated that the legislation would help eliminate paperwork, reduce corruption, and improve the delivery of public services. However, she highlighted that government offices remain a significant hurdle to digitization and that the new law was necessary to include all stakeholders on one platform.
The approval follows months of debate and scrutiny, with earlier sessions highlighting concerns regarding the country’s inadequate digital infrastructure. During a previous committee meeting on January 2, the bill was deferred after committee members raised critical questions about recurring internet service disruptions and the lack of transparency in infrastructure spending.
The bill was first approved by the federal cabinet in June 2024, and was tabled in the National Assembly on December 15, 2024.