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The federal government has formally established the Pakistan Digital Authority, a central pillar of the Digital Nation Bill passed earlier this year. Notifications issued by the Cabinet Division on August 19 confirm the Authority’s formation and its first leadership appointments, marking a significant step toward unifying Pakistan’s fragmented digital ecosystem.
Under the Digital Nation Bill approved in May 2025, the Authority is tasked with driving Pakistan’s nationwide digital transformation. Operating under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, it will be led by a chairperson and two members responsible for developing and executing the National Digital Master Plan, monitoring digital initiatives and creating a unified digital identity that consolidates citizens’ social, economic and governance data. The Bill positions these reforms as the foundation for a digital society, digital economy and digital governance framework.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Dr Sohail Munir as chairperson and Dr Muhammad J Sear as one of the two members, both on five-year contracts. Munir, a digital transformation specialist advising Abu Dhabi’s Department of Government Enablement, brings experience from major e-governance and smart city programs. Sear, CEO of UAE-based startup Simpli Human, has advised governments and global organisations on digital strategy. The second member seat remains unfilled.
Their appointments follow the creation of a search and selection committee in June, headed by Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja, to ensure internationally competitive expertise guides the Authority’s work.
The PDA will coordinate stakeholders on project evaluations, develop and enforce national data governance standards, advise on cloud infrastructure compliance and establish a national data strategy to break long-standing institutional silos. It also aims to address Pakistan’s digital divide, with only 40 percent of citizens having reliable internet access.
The Authority’s launch comes at a critical moment for Pakistan’s IT sector, which recorded 12 percent year-on-year export growth in FY2025.
