In a move to kickstart the operations of the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA), the federal government has formed a Search and Selection Committee tasked with appointing the chairperson and two members for the authority.
The committee, approved by the prime minister, is responsible for shortlisting suitable candidates based on qualifications and experience, and will present three candidates for each role to the prime minister.Â
Additionally, the committee will propose salary packages and other benefits for the selected individuals and will finalize employment terms with the chosen candidates.
The committee is chaired by Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima. It also includes the ministers for economic affairs, state for railways, state for finance, and secretaries from the establishment, cabinet, and IT & telecom divisions. Salman Akhtar, a member of the Pakistan Revenue Automation Ltd Board, is also part of the committee.
This initiative is part of the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025, under which three new bodies will be established: the Pakistan Digital Authority, the Strategic Oversight Committee (SOC), and the National Digital Commission (NDC).
The PDA will oversee the development and implementation of the National Digital Master Plan, and once its leadership is in place, the authority will set up a framework to monitor and evaluate digital transformation projects nationwide.
Minister Shaza Fatima explained that the primary goal of the PDA is to foster a digital economy, streamline governance in economy-related departments, and aid in the digitization of public services, thus enhancing transparency and efficiency in government operations.
She also highlighted that the new regulations under the 2025 Act would reduce corruption and improve public service delivery by minimizing reliance on paperwork, while promoting the digital economy.
The SOC, chaired by the IT minister, will include secretaries of IT, finance, and planning, along with private sector representatives. This committee will monitor the PDA’s progress and provide independent reviews to ensure alignment with the National Digital Master Plan.
The NDC, chaired by the prime minister, will be the highest decision-making body under the new framework, with members including provincial chief ministers, relevant federal ministers, and the heads of key organizations like FBR, Nadra, PTA, PDA, SECP, and the SBP governor.
The NDC will oversee the approval of the National Digital Master Plan and ensure coordinated digital transformation efforts across federal and provincial levels.
