ISLAMABAD (TDI): The federal government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presented the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024 in the National Assembly.
The bill aims to create a digital identity for all citizens and centralize data related to social, economic, and governance aspects of the country.
This legislation comes at a time when critics and activists are raising concerns about a growing digital crackdown in Pakistan.
Recently, the government has been cracking down on VPN usage, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announcing that businesses and freelancers could legally use VPNs by registering with the government.
However, unregistered VPNs would be blocked after November 30. This deadline was later withdrawn, and no new date has been set.
Authorities argue that these measures are intended to combat militants and other individuals who use VPNs to hide their identities and spread “anti-state propaganda” or illegal content, including blasphemy.
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The government is also planning to implement a nationwide firewall to block harmful content, protect government networks from cyber-attacks, and enable authorities to track IP addresses linked to what they term “anti-state propaganda” and terrorism.
According to the National Assembly’s agenda, the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024 seeks to transform Pakistan into a digital society, economy, and governance system.
Dawn, a prominent Pakistani newspaper, reported that the bill would establish a digital identity for every citizen, encompassing personal information such as health records, assets, and other social indicators.
The bill’s objective, according to government officials, is to improve access to vital records like ID cards, land titles, birth certificates, and health documentation.
Earlier on Monday, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications, addressed a ceremony in Islamabad, highlighting the government’s plans to establish a National Digital Commission (NDC) to drive Pakistan’s digital transformation.
The Commission will be headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and include provincial chief ministers and representatives from key regulatory bodies, such as the National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) and the PTA.
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Khawaja also announced plans to create a new digital authority that would focus on developing a comprehensive national framework for digitalization, concentrating on three main sectors: the economy, governance, and society.
To tackle the issue of slow internet speeds, the government plans to introduce new 4G and 5G spectrums, aiming to resolve challenges faced by freelancers and IT professionals.
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The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) reported that internet speeds have dropped by 30-40% in recent months.
“5G spectrum auctions will take place in April next year,” Khawaja stated, “which will significantly enhance internet services in the country.”
However, digital rights activists argue that the government’s crackdown on VPNs and internet slowdowns are attempts to restrict access to crucial tools that allow users to bypass censorship.
The use of VPNs has surged in Pakistan since February, following the government’s ban on the social media platform X, which came after allegations of election rigging. The election commission has denied these allegations.
