Pakistan’s federal cabinet took a significant step towards digitizing the national economy and establishing paperless governance with the preliminary approval of the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2024. This act creates two key institutions: the National Digital Commission and the Pakistan Digital Authority.
The National Digital Commission, led by the Prime Minister himself and including members from both federal and provincial governments, will act as a policymaking body for the country’s digital transformation journey. Pakistan Digital Authority, established as a separate entity with financial and administrative autonomy, will be responsible for implementing the goals of the Digital Pakistan initiative.
Collaboration with China is another key element of Pakistan’s digital development strategy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with Chinese leadership during a recent visit. A high-level delegation from China is expected to visit Pakistan soon to further solidify cooperation in this area.
The government also announced plans to invest in its future workforce. 1,000 Pakistani youth will be sent to China for training in agricultural innovation and technology. Additionally, Huawei has committed to annually training 200,000 Pakistani youth in various IT fields.
The cabinet also addressed a number of other issues. Appointments to the National School for Public Policy were approved, including members from both public and private education sectors. A committee was formed to initiate the appointment of an Islamabad representative to the National Commission for Human Rights.
The Arbitration Bill 2024 was approved for further consultation with provinces. An MoU between Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau and Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption commission was greenlit to promote cooperation against bribery and illegal financial flows. Finally, the cabinet endorsed decisions made by other committees on state-owned enterprises, economic coordination, and legislative matters.
These actions taken by the Pakistani government signal a strong commitment to embracing digital transformation and fostering a skilled workforce to navigate the evolving technological landscape.
