In a significant development, the Senate’s Information Technology and Telecom Committee has officially approved the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025.
The approval was secured with four votes in favour and two against, with Senator Kamran Murtaza and Senator Saifullah Niazi opposing the bill. The committee also rejected proposed amendments to Section 7, introduced by Senator Kamran Murtaza, by a majority vote.
The session, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, was held to deliberate on the bill. The bill aims to enhance Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, align it with modern technological standards, and foster growth in the sector.
During the discussions, Senator Kamran Murtaza proposed an amendment to Section 7, concerned about the bill’s potential interference with provincial autonomy. However, after deliberation, the committee decided to reject the amendments.
Key features of the bill
Despite the debate surrounding the amendments, the original bill was passed. The bill calls for the establishment of a 17-member National Digital Commission, chaired by the Prime Minister.This commission will include the chief ministers of all provinces, federal ministers, and heads of key institutions such as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
The commission’s primary role will be to oversee the creation and implementation of a National Digital Master Plan, designed to make Pakistan a fully digital nation. The commission will also ensure coordination among various government bodies, taking action against any failure to comply with the master plan.
In addition, the bill proposes the formation of a Pakistan Digital Authority, which will implement the master plan. The authority will be led by a chairman and members appointed for a four-year term by the Prime Minister. A Strategic Oversight Committee will also be formed to monitor the performance of the authority, with the relevant federal minister serving as its chair.
Concerns raised during the meeting
Further, the committee deliberated on the allocation of resources under the bill. Senator Manzoor Kakar emphasized the need for provinces to receive their rightful share. The Ministry of IT’s Secretary confirmed that the commission formed under the bill would ensure provincial representation. Senator Kakar also inquired about financial support, with the IT Ministry Secretary confirming that the World Bank had approved $78 million for the Deep Project.
Also, a point of concern was raised by Senator Palwasha Khan, who questioned the absence of the Minister of State for IT, Shiza Fatima, from the meeting. In response, officials from the Ministry of IT explained that the minister’s close relative had recently passed away, which accounted for her absence.
The bill is now expected to move forward following today’s approval, marking a key step toward strengthening Pakistan’s digital landscape.
Senate IT Committee discussion
Earlier, the Senate's Information Technology and Telecom Committee convened for an extended session to further discuss the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill. While there was significant support for the bill, a range of concerns were raised by committee members, with some questioning the urgency of passing the legislation.
Senator Kamran Murtaza
Senator Kamran Murtaza expressed reservations about the speed with which the bill was being pushed forward, questioning the need for such haste in approval. He emphasized that a more thorough review of the bill was essential, especially considering its broad implications for the country.
Senator Anusha Rehman on framework
On the other hand, Senator Anusha Rehman highlighted the vision behind the bill, noting that its goal was to digitalize the entire country under the "Digital Nation" framework. She also pointed out that the agency overseeing the initiative would be seeking grants from around the world to fund the project. However, she raised concerns about the mechanisms in place to ensure that these funds would reach the provinces.
Secretary of IT and Telecom
The committee heard from the Secretary of IT and Telecom, who explained that sectoral plans would be created as part of a master plan for the digital transformation. The funds for these plans would be allocated to provinces through the National Digital Commission to ensure equitable distribution of resources.
Provinces’ input on Digital Nation Bill
Senator Kamran Murtaza raised concerns about whether the provinces had been consulted about the bill, especially given its impact on regional governance. However, officials from the Ministry of Law clarified that since the subject falls under federal jurisdiction, the provinces did not need to provide written feedback.
Senator Manzoor Kakar raised the issue of ensuring that the provinces receive their rightful share of funding. Senator Palwasha Khan, chairing the meeting, expressed worries about the possibility of bureaucrats siphoning off funds without benefiting the intended projects, saying, "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 Palwasha Khan pointed out the absence of a dedicated data protection bill, stressing that it was essential for the country to advance toward a digital Pakistan while safeguarding citizens' data. She suggested holding a public hearing on Senator Afnanullah’s proposed Data Protection Bill, as the Ministry of IT had yet to introduce its own.
Anusha Rehman strongly supported the Digital Nation Bill, emphasizing its potential to address data-related challenges, particularly those involving NADRA, which has faced criticism over the sale of citizens’ biometric data.
