The Prime Minister has approved the establishment of a Search and Selection Committee tasked with the appointment of the Chairperson and two Members of the Pakistan Digital Authority. This development is a key step in implementing the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025, which provides the legal and structural foundation for the Authority’s formation and function within the national digital governance framework.
A formal notification issued by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication confirms the constitution of the committee and outlines its operational mandate. The Federal Minister for IT and Telecom, Shaza Fatima, has been designated as the convener of the committee, which will be responsible for overseeing the shortlisting and recommendation process for the three leadership roles within the Authority.
Other committee members include the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Minister of State for Railways, Finance and PMDU Bilal Azhar Kayani, and the Secretaries of the Establishment Division, Cabinet Division, and IT & Telecom Division. Salman Akhtar, who currently serves on the board of PRAL, has also been named as a member. The collective expertise of these officials is expected to guide the identification and selection of candidates with the experience and qualifications necessary to lead the Pakistan Digital Authority.
The committee will review applications and recommend three candidates for each vacant position to the Prime Minister. It has also been granted the authority to determine salary packages and benefits for the selected individuals and engage directly with shortlisted candidates to finalize employment terms. These steps are aimed at ensuring transparent and merit-based appointments that support the effective operationalization of the Authority.
The creation of this committee signals a formal progression toward establishing the Pakistan Digital Authority as a central institution in managing digital transformation, overseeing regulatory frameworks, and coordinating nationwide digital initiatives. With its leadership yet to be appointed, the Authority is envisioned to become a cornerstone in the federal government’s digital agenda, aligning policy, regulation, and implementation across ministries and public sector entities.
By launching the process for executive appointments, the government is preparing to activate the governance structure needed to enforce digital standards, promote interoperability between public platforms, and support innovation across the ICT sector. The Authority’s future leadership is expected to drive forward strategic objectives related to data governance, cybersecurity, public service delivery, and digital inclusion.
The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication will continue to facilitate administrative steps required for the Authority’s institutional setup. Once appointed, the Chairperson and Members will be responsible for setting the operational direction of the Pakistan Digital Authority, including the formulation of its internal processes, regulatory agenda, and partnerships across the public and private sectors.
