In a significant move towards digital transformation, Pakistan has appointed the chairperson and one member for the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA), one of three bodies established under the Digital Nation Bill, which was approved by the federal cabinet in June.
According to a pair of notifications from the Cabinet Division, dated August 19, Dr. Sohail Munir has been appointed as the PDA chairperson, while Dr. Muhammad J. Sear has been named as one of the authority’s two members. Both appointments were made by the prime minister. One other member is yet to be appointed.
The identical notifications state that Dr. Munir and Dr. Sear have been appointed “under [the] Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication on [a] contract basis for a period of five years, with immediate effect and until further orders.”
About Dr. Sohail Munir and Dr. Muhammad J. Sear Dr. Munir, according to his LinkedIn profile, is a “digital futurist” and a “leading expert” in government digital transformation. He currently works as an adviser to the Abu Dhabi government’s Department of Government Enablement in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Dr. Sear is also an expert in government digital transformations, having worked as an adviser to both government and the private sector. According to his LinkedIn profile, he is currently the CEO of the well-being startup Simpli Human in the UAE.
Functions of the PDA The PDA’s purpose is to develop, implement, and monitor a national digital master plan. The authority will also establish a framework for the monitoring and evaluation of digital transformation projects. The Digital Nation Bill aims to create a digital identity for citizens to centralize social, economic, and governance data, and to transform Pakistan into a digital nation, enabling a digital society, economy, and governance.
The authority’s other functions include facilitating coordination among various stakeholders, reviewing plans related to the master plan, and developing and enforcing a national data strategy and comprehensive data governance framework within both public and private sectors. It will also recommend governance, standards, and operational compliance for cloud infrastructure within the public sector, among other responsibilities.
