Pakistan Digital Authority


The Pakistan Digital Authority is a statutory body established by the Government of Pakistan under the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025 to accelerate digital transformation across government and the economy. The Authority develops and implements the National Digital Masterplan, fosters digital public infrastructure, and promotes a digital society, economy, and governance.

History

The Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025 was enacted on 29 January 2025 with immediate effect. It established the Pakistan Digital Authority as a corporate body, with the ability to enter contracts, hold property, and engage in legal proceedings.

Mandate and functions

Under Section 8 of the Act, the Authority:
  • Develops, implements, monitors, and updates the National Digital Masterplan, including sectoral plans.
  • Issues and enforces regulations, guidelines, and standards to support the Masterplan.
  • Coordinates with federal, provincial, and local governments, as well as private stakeholders, to align with the Masterplan.
  • Establishes a monitoring and evaluation framework and reports progress to the National Digital Commission.
  • Reviews public sector projects with digital components and recommends approval to the commission.
  • Advises on laws and policies to align with the Masterplan and international best practices.
  • Sets standards for data governance, artificial intelligence, virtual assets, and emerging technologies, avoiding conflicts with existing regulators.
  • Develops and enforces a National Data Strategy and governmental data governance framework.
  • Recommends cloud governance standards for the public sector.
  • Facilitates a digital economy strategy.
  • Leads the national citizen experience strategy for digital public services.

Governance

The Authority comprises a chairperson and two members, appointed by the Prime Minister, with the option to expand to five members. The chairperson serves as chief executive. All members must be eminent professionals with recognized expertise and integrity, serving a non-renewable five-year term, subject to conflict-of-interest and ethical standards.

National Digital Commission

The National Digital Commission, chaired by the Prime Minister and including federal, provincial, and economic leaders, provides strategic direction. It approves the National Digital Masterplan, issues alignment directives, and addresses non-compliance.

Oversight and accountability

An Oversight Committee, led by the Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunications, monitors performance and financial management, submitting annual reports to the commission. The Authority produces an annual report, undergoes audits per constitutional requirements, and publishes audited accounts and reports on its website.

Funding

The permanent Digital Nation Fund, managed by the Authority, supports its functions through federal allocations, provincial and local grants, international aid, loans, donations, investment income, and other sources. Expenditures include salaries, operations, loan repayments, and digital transformation projects.

Legal framework

The Authority may create rules with federal approval and regulations consistent with the Act. It must follow federal policy directives. The Act supersedes conflicting laws, but specific data rights and cybersecurity laws take precedence.