Pakistan is advancing its National Digital Masterplan as the federal government works on a coordinated framework for digital transformation across government, the economy and society. The development was discussed during a meeting on the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA), chaired by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Division Senator Ahad Khan Cheema and attended by Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PDA Chairman Dr. Sohail Munir and officials from relevant departments. The Masterplan is being developed around digital governance, the digital economy and digital society, with the government seeking practical outcomes and sector-specific implementation plans. Officials are also working to bring the Masterplan before an upcoming meeting of the Prime Minister and provincial chief ministers, while consultations with provincial IT departments and other stakeholders are already underway.
A major focus of the initiative is the use of artificial intelligence and digital skills across the education sector. During the meeting, officials discussed developing a structured roadmap to introduce modern digital and AI-related skills through educational institutions, including at the primary and middle-school levels. The government has called for sector-wise plans with realistic timelines and measurable outcomes rather than broad digitalisation targets. The PDA is expected to work with relevant departments on these plans as part of the wider National Digital Masterplan. Pakistan’s Digital Nation framework also identifies education and skills as one of the priority areas for digital transformation, alongside sectors such as health, finance, commerce, agriculture, energy, transport and social protection.
Healthcare is another area being considered under the digital transformation agenda, with the meeting discussing the creation of unified patient records and a registry that could maintain clinical histories and treatment information across public and private hospitals. Such a system would require coordination around data and registries so that relevant institutions can access reliable and verified information for public-service planning. At the same time, the government is reviewing its own digital workforce requirements. The Establishment Division has personnel made available following the introduction of e-Office, and officials discussed training and redeploying existing staff to support digitalisation rather than relying entirely on new recruitment. The PDA has agreed to work with the National Information Technology Board (NITB) on training and digital-capacity development within federal institutions.
The National Digital Masterplan is intended to provide a common framework for digital initiatives while respecting the responsibilities of provincial governments. Officials have already held consultations with provincial IT departments and other stakeholders, with data coordination identified as an important area for cooperation. Under the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025, the National Digital Masterplan is intended to serve as a strategic blueprint covering digital society, digital economy and digital governance, supported by sectoral plans and implementation frameworks. The PDA identifies the Masterplan as a central mechanism for coordinating Pakistan’s digital transformation, including infrastructure, workforce development, innovation, data governance and digital public services. The latest government discussions indicate that work is moving toward more detailed sector-level plans and wider coordination between federal and provincial institutions.
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