The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom has approved the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024, a significant step toward digitizing government operations and enhancing transparency. The bill was passed with a majority vote despite concerns raised by lawmakers regarding data protection and the potential misuse of information.

Minister of State for IT and Telecom, Shaza Fatima, defended the bill, stating that it does not centralize data collection but aims to streamline digital identities and improve cybersecurity. She emphasized that the legislation would reduce corruption and enhance public service delivery by enabling mobile-based processes and eliminating the need for physical paperwork.

However, several committee members expressed reservations about the bill, pointing to the absence of a comprehensive Data Protection Act as a major concern. They warned that without proper safeguards, the digitization of government operations could lead to privacy violations and data misuse. Other issues raised included slow internet speeds and inadequate digital infrastructure, which lawmakers argued should be addressed before implementing the bill.

Despite these concerns, the committee approved the bill with little opposition. The Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024 is expected to modernize government operations and improve efficiency, but its success will depend on addressing the infrastructure gaps and privacy concerns highlighted during the discussions.