PTI's Omar Ayub declares Digital National Bill a threat to citizens' rights

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) backed Opposition Leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub Thursday in a written letter to the Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, expressing reservations about the recently approved Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Omar Ayub submitted a dissenting note, stating that the bill is against the rights of Pakistanis. 

He emphasised the importance of data protection for users but highlighted the absence of effective laws to ensure it. 

--Two critical questions--

He raised two critical questions, including: 1) Who will safeguard a centralised data centre? and 2) How will the right person for data protection be chosen?

It is worth noting that just a day earlier, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication approved the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024 despite concerns raised by the committee members and the State Minister for IT and Telecommunication about bureaucratic resistance to digitisation efforts.

--Establishment of three bodies--

The bill outlines the establishment of three new bodies:

1) Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA): Tasked with developing, implementing, and monitoring the National Digital Master Plan, along with evaluating digital transformation projects.

2) Strategic Oversight Committee (SOC): Headed by the IT minister, with federal secretaries and private sector representatives as members, to monitor the PDA's performance and align it with the National Digital Master Plan.

3) National Digital Commission (NDC): Chaired by the prime minister, comprising provincial chief ministers, federal ministers, and heads of various authorities, to oversee and approve the National Digital Master Plan and ensure its implementation.

Reporter: Tayyab Saif