Pakistan has formally operationalised the Pakistan Digital Authority under the Prime Minister’s Digital Nation Pakistan Vision, marking an important step toward building a unified and secure digital ecosystem for the country. The federal government recently confirmed the establishment of the Authority and the appointment of its leadership, reinforcing the national commitment to modernising public services and strengthening digital governance. As one of the three organisations formed under the Digital Nation Bill approved by the federal cabinet in June, PDA carries a wide scope of responsibilities that support the country’s long term digital transformation. The institution’s launch reflects an increased focus on coordinated digital planning across federal and provincial bodies, aiming to integrate essential public sector processes and services within a standardised framework.
According to official notifications issued by the Cabinet Division and dated August 19, Dr Sohail Munir has been appointed Chairperson of PDA and Dr Mohammad J Sear has been appointed as one of its two members. Both appointments were made by the Prime Minister. The remaining member has yet to be named. Dr Munir and Dr Sear will serve under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication on a contract basis for five years. Their selection follows the earlier approval of a search and selection committee convened by Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja, tasked with identifying suitable leadership for PDA. Dr Munir, described as a digital futurist and a leading expert in government digital transformation, is currently an adviser to the Abu Dhabi government’s Department of Government Enablement. Dr Sear is also a digital transformation expert with advisory experience in both government and the private sector and presently serves as CEO of the well being startup Simpli Human in the UAE. Their backgrounds place experienced specialists in a position to lead Pakistan’s digital governance strategy.
PDA has been created to develop, implement and monitor the national digital master plan, which forms the central policy direction for Pakistan’s digital evolution. The Digital Nation Bill outlines the goal of creating a unified digital identity for citizens to centralise social, economic and governance data. This structure aims to support the transition toward a digital society, digital economy and improved digital governance. PDA will also establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the progress of digital transformation projects. By integrating national data systems, the Authority is expected to build standards that support interoperability, strengthen governance practices and enhance efficiency in service delivery across public sector bodies.
The Authority’s mandate includes coordinating with a broad range of stakeholders, reviewing plans associated with the digital master plan and enforcing a national data strategy along with a comprehensive governance framework for the management of information across government and relevant private sector partners. Additional responsibilities involve recommending compliance standards for cloud infrastructure within public sector institutions, ensuring alignment with evolving digital requirements. PDA’s leadership has expressed a willingness to collaborate with partners and stakeholders as work begins on advancing Pakistan’s digital future. With the Authority now operational, the government aims to build a more inclusive, transparent and streamlined digital environment that supports economic development and improved citizen experiences within the broader Digital Nation Pakistan Vision.
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