Minister of State for IT and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, announced a significant move towards Pakistan’s digital future, unveiling the introduction of legislation for the ‘Digital Nation Pakistan’ initiative in the National Assembly on Monday. The initiative is aimed at creating a unified framework for the country’s digitization efforts, focusing on three key areas: economy, governance, and society.
Fatima expressed hope that the legislation would soon be passed, with the National Digital Commission to be formed shortly thereafter. The commission will be chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and will include all Chief Ministers of Pakistan’s provinces, as well as heads of major regulatory bodies, including the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), NADRA, and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The commission’s creation will pave the way for the establishment of the Pakistan Digital Authority, which will be tasked with overseeing and implementing a comprehensive national digitization strategy. Fatima emphasized that the initiative would provide every citizen with a unified digital identity, unlocking the country’s full potential.
Fatima also expressed optimism about the future of Pakistan’s technology sector, foreseeing an increase in investment in digital infrastructure over the coming years. “We anticipate a significant surge in investment in technology infrastructure,” she stated, underlining the country’s commitment to advancing its digital transformation.
