Pakistan Government Establishes Pakistan Digital Authority to Drive Digital Transformation

The Government of Pakistan has officially launched the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA), marking a major milestone in the country’s journey towards digital transformation. Alongside its establishment, the government has also appointed the first chairperson and member of the authority, in line with the recommendations of the Search and Selection Committee formed earlier this year.

Key Appointments

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the appointment of Dr. Sohail Munir as the Chairperson and Muhammad J. Sear as a Member of the Pakistan Digital Authority, which will function under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. Both appointments are on a five-year contractual basis, as confirmed by the notification issued by the Cabinet Division.

This step is seen as a significant move towards implementing the vision of the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025, which provides the legislative framework for digital governance in the country.

Selection Process

The appointments were finalized after a rigorous evaluation process. The Search and Selection Committee, chaired by Minister for IT Shaza Fatima, reviewed and shortlisted candidates for these critical positions. Other members of the committee included the Minister for Economic Affairs, Minister of State for Railways, Minister of State for Finance, and secretaries from the Establishment, Cabinet, and IT & Telecom divisions. Salman Akhtar, member of the Pakistan Revenue Automation Ltd (PRAL) Board, was also part of the panel.

Following a detailed assessment, the committee forwarded three shortlisted names for each role to the Prime Minister, who made the final selection.

Mandate of the Pakistan Digital Authority

The newly formed Pakistan Digital Authority has been tasked with designing, implementing, and overseeing the National Digital Master Plan. This plan will serve as the foundation for Pakistan’s digital transformation, ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective monitoring of IT-driven initiatives across the country.

Additionally, the PDA will create a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to track the progress of digital projects nationwide. This will help streamline governance, improve efficiency, and foster innovation in line with global digital standards.

Part of Broader Digital Governance Reforms

The establishment of the PDA is part of a larger digital governance strategy under the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025. This framework also envisions the formation of the Strategic Oversight Committee (SOC) and the National Digital Commission (NDC), both aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s position in the global digital economy.

With the launch of the PDA, Pakistan has taken a decisive step towards creating a robust digital ecosystem that promotes innovation, enhances transparency, and paves the way for sustainable economic growth.