Status
Passed
Passage Date
1/29/2025
Objective: The Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025 aims to transform Pakistan into a digital nation by leveraging digital technologies, data use, innovative service delivery models, and robust Digital Public Infrastructure. This transformation focuses on accelerating sustainable economic development, improving citizen well-being, and modernizing governance frameworks for efficient public service delivery. The Act establishes the National Digital Commission and the Pakistan Digital Authority to provide strategic direction, governance, and operational oversight.
Key Provisions:
National Digital Commission: Established to prescribe policy, provide governance, and ensure coordination among federal, provincial, and sectoral bodies for achieving digital nation objectives. It is composed of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Ministers in charge of various divisions, and heads of key regulatory bodies.
Pakistan Digital Authority: A corporate body established to develop, implement, monitor, and update the National Digital Masterplan. It has the authority to issue and enforce regulations, guidelines, and standards necessary for the Masterplan's implementation.
Oversight Committee: Formed to monitor and evaluate the performance of the Pakistan Digital Authority, ensuring compliance and alignment with strategic objectives.
National Digital Masterplan: A comprehensive strategic blueprint developed by the Pakistan Digital Authority, outlining the vision, objectives, priority areas, sectoral plans, digital economy development plan, implementation plans, technology standards, and governance frameworks for Pakistan's digital transformation.
Digital Nation Fund: Created to finance the functions and operations of the Pakistan Digital Authority, consisting of funds from the federal government, loans, grants, donations, and other sums or property payable to the Authority.
Governance, Operations, and Accountability: The Act allows for the assignment of entities and expertise to assist the Authority, engagement with development partners, and appointment of employees, advisers, and consultants. It establishes a code of conduct and ethical guidelines for all involved.
Regulatory and Legal Provisions: Includes indemnity for actions taken in good faith, delegation of powers, the Authority's power to make rules and regulations, and the Federal Government's power to issue policy directives. The Act overrides other laws where there is inconsistency, except for specific measures for protecting data rights and cybersecurity.
Jurisdiction and Removal of Difficulties: Decisions or actions taken under this Act cannot be questioned by any agency or challenged in any court or tribunal. The Federal Government may make orders to remove any procedural or operational difficulties in implementing the