Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Criticizes Digital Nation Bill, Writes to IT Committee Chairman 

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, has raised serious concerns over the recently presented “Digital Nation Pakistan Bill” in the National Assembly.   In a strongly worded letter to the Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, Khan expressed his reservations and highlighted the bill’s potential threats to citizens’ rights and freedoms.  In his letter, he stated that the Digital Nation Bill undermines the fundamental rights of Pakistani citizens, calling it a grave threat to individual freedoms. “Fifty-six percent of Pakistanis lack access to the internet or digital literacy, and this bill disproportionately affects these marginalized groups,” he wrote. He also submitted a dissenting note, opposing the bill’s approval in the committee.  The opposition leader criticized the bill for imposing severe restrictions on press freedom and civil liberties. He pointed out that Pakistan has faced internet shutdowns in the past, which have caused significant damage to the country’s digital economy. “This legislation will only exacerbate these issues,” he warned, adding that such measures would hinder the growth of a free and open digital society in Pakistan.  He also raised concerns over the recruitment of non-civilian personnel in sensitive positions within IT-related departments. He argued that these appointments violate privacy laws and compromise citizens’ data security. Referring to previous examples, he emphasized the need for transparency and civilian oversight in IT governance to protect public trust and rights.  The Digital Nation Bill was approved by the Standing Committee on Information Technology yesterday with a 10-6 majority, despite opposition from Khan and other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members.   They criticized the committee for rushing the bill’s approval without adequate deliberation. Khan urged the committee to reconsider the legislation, stressing that protecting citizens’ rights should be the top priority in any digital transformation effort.