Zafar Iqbal

The government of Pakistan has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform the country into a “digital nation,” presenting a vision of centralized governance, improved service delivery, and an economy that is fully formalized. A bill for this initiative, known as the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, 2024, was recently tabled in the National Assembly, following its approval by the cabinet earlier in June. Drawing inspiration from successful digital governance models in countries such as Estonia, the UAE, and India, the plan aims to provide every citizen with a digital identity that includes personal data about health, assets, and other social indicators. This, the government argues, will help create a “forward-looking” digital society.

To oversee this massive transformation, two new regulatory bodies — the National Digital Commission and the Pakistan Digital Authority — have been proposed. The digital identity system, if successfully implemented, promises to modernize Pakistan’s governance, streamline public service delivery, and formalize a substantial part of the informal economy. However, while the plan may sound promising, it’s important to critically assess its potential challenges, risks, and the lessons we can learn from previous digital initiatives that failed to meet their objectives.

One of the most pressing concerns with this new initiative is the lack of a comprehensive data protection law in Pakistan. Without robust legislation to protect citizens’ sensitive personal data, questions arise about how data will be stored, processed, and, most importantly, secured. Pakistan has already seen multiple breaches involving sensitive data stored by institutions such as the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). These breaches have exposed the vulnerability of citizens’ personal information to cyber threats. The digital identity system, by its very nature, will involve the aggregation of vast amounts of personal data. Without proper safeguards, the risk of data leaks or unauthorized access is significant. The government must, therefore, prioritize the creation and implementation of a comprehensive data protection law before embarking on such an ambitious project. Citizens must have confidence that their personal information will be secure, and that there will be clear accountability in case of data misuse or breaches.

Moreover, Pakistan’s digital infrastructure is far from being ready for such a large-scale transformation. Internet connectivity in the country is often unreliable and inconsistent, especially in rural areas, where many citizens still lack access to even basic online services. The idea of centralizing digital services under one national ID system will likely encounter significant hurdles if many citizens cannot access the internet, or face disruptions in their connectivity. This digital divide threatens to exclude large portions of the population, particularly those in underserved regions, from benefiting from the new digital services. This concern is exacerbated by the fact that Pakistan has a history of internet shutdowns during times of political unrest or social unrest. Given the government’s growing interest in controlling digital platforms, there is a real fear that this digital ID system could become another tool for surveillance, particularly if privacy safeguards are not put in place.

While the government’s intentions behind creating a “digital nation” are laudable, the rush to implement such a far-reaching initiative without adequate stakeholder consultation is a cause for concern. The hurried rollout of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), for example, serves as a cautionary tale of what can go wrong when complex digital legislation is pushed through Parliament without comprehensive input from all relevant parties. The lack of consultation with experts, digital rights organizations, and civil society groups resulted in laws that were seen as overly broad, vague, and prone to misuse. The Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, 2024, which shares similar implications for citizens’ rights, data security, and privacy, should undergo thorough discussions to ensure it protects citizens’ fundamental freedoms.

To address these challenges, the government must take a more measured and consultative approach. It is essential that the voices of digital rights groups, cybersecurity experts, privacy advocates, and other stakeholders be heard during the development and implementation stages. A collaborative approach would help to identify potential risks, improve privacy protections, and ensure that the system does not become a tool for state surveillance. There should be transparent discussions about data protection mechanisms, the frameworks for obtaining citizen consent, and clear procedures for ensuring the integrity and security of citizens’ personal data.

The government must also clarify the operational relationships between existing agencies, such as NADRA, and the newly proposed bodies like the National Digital Commission and Pakistan Digital Authority. While the government has indicated that existing institutions will manage the implementation of the digital ID system, it is important that the roles, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms between these agencies be clearly defined. The lack of clarity on how these entities will interact, share information, and resolve conflicts could lead to inefficiencies and delays in execution.

Further, given the complexity and scale of the project, a phased approach to implementation would be advisable. Instead of attempting to roll out the digital identity system across the entire country at once, the government could pilot the system in a few select regions or for specific services. This would allow for better assessment of the system’s technical, operational, and societal challenges. The government should also be open to feedback from the public and experts, making necessary adjustments before proceeding with nationwide implementation. Such a phased implementation plan would allow the government to identify problems early on, make improvements, and ensure that the system serves its intended purpose.

Pakistan’s move towards becoming a “digital nation” is not without merit. Digitalization has the potential to revolutionize governance, improve service delivery, and enhance economic productivity. Countries like Estonia and India have successfully implemented similar systems that have improved citizen engagement and economic inclusion. However, these countries also invested significant time, resources, and planning to address the underlying challenges of digital infrastructure, data security, and privacy before launching such initiatives. Pakistan must take a more cautious and thoughtful approach, learning from past mistakes and ensuring that citizens’ fundamental rights are respected.

In conclusion, the government’s plan to transform Pakistan into a digital nation is an ambitious and forward-thinking initiative. However, the potential risks associated with privacy violations, data security breaches, and the digital divide cannot be overlooked. The government must take a more methodical approach, ensuring that a strong data protection law is in place before proceeding with the implementation of a centralized digital ID system. Moreover, robust stakeholder consultation and a phased implementation plan will be key to the success of the project. Pakistan’s digital future holds great promise, but it is imperative that it is built on a foundation of transparency, security, and public trust.