Islamabad, Jan 27: Senator Anusha Rehman raised serious concerns on Monday, accusing the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) of exploiting citizens’ personal data, specifically their thumbprints, during elections. Speaking at the Upper House session on the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, she called for immediate action to address the growing misuse of citizens’ data.
Rehman emphasized the urgency of passing the IT Ministry’s proposed Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, which aims to regulate data management and ensure accountability for government agencies like NADRA.
The bill, currently in its final stages of consultation, promises to provide a legal framework for data security. The IT Secretary and other ministry officials reassured lawmakers that once the consultations are completed, the bill will be presented for legislative approval.
However, the committee chairman criticized the delay in finalizing the bill, arguing that the absence of such legislation leaves the country’s data security vulnerable to abuse by powerful institutions, including NADRA. 
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It is also important to note that the IT Ministry raised objections to the Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, which was introduced by Senator Afnan Ullah as a Private Member’s Bill. According to the ministry, the bill conflicts with existing legislative policies and does not align with constitutional requirements. Specifically, the ministry cited a breach of Article 74 of the Constitution, which mandates that any bill involving federal expenditure must have prior consent from the Federal Government. These disagreements highlight the complexity and sensitivity surrounding the regulation of personal data in Pakistan.
