Federal Cabinet Advances Digital Transformation in Pakistan

The federal cabinet has taken a significant step towards transforming Pakistan into a digitally advanced nation by giving initial approval to the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2024. This Act aims to establish the National Digital Commission and Pakistan Digital Authority, focusing on digitizing the national economy and promoting paperless governance. The Law Ministry has been assigned the crucial task of reviewing the Act to ensure it aligns with international standards in digitizing the services sector.

Under this Act, the National Digital Commission will function as a key policymaking body, with the Prime Minister leading it and members from both federal and provincial levels contributing to its decisions. Additionally, the creation of the Pakistan Digital Authority will drive the Digital Pakistan agenda forward, operating as a corporate entity with financial and administrative independence.

In another development, the federal cabinet has approved the appointment of members to the National School for Public Policy from both public and private education sectors. Furthermore, a cabinet committee has been established, following a recommendation from the human rights ministry, to appoint a member from Islamabad to the National Commission for Human Rights.

During the recent meeting, the cabinet also granted principal approval to The Arbitration Bill 2024 and initiated consultations with provinces under Article 144 of the constitution. Moreover, an MoU is set to be signed between the National Accountability Bureau and Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption to strengthen cooperation against bribery and illicit financial activities.

The federal cabinet's endorsement of decisions made by various committees, including the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises, the Economic Coordination Committee, and the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases, underscores the government's commitment to efficient governance and transparency.

The approval of the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2024 and other key decisions by the federal cabinet signals a proactive approach towards embracing digital transformation and enhancing governance in Pakistan. These initiatives aim to propel the country towards a more technologically advanced and transparent future, ultimately benefiting the citizens and fostering economic growth.