The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) is set to develop a data exchange layer for government agencies to securely exchange information and introduce a digital ‘wallet’ for citizens to safeguard their credentials.
According to official documents obtained by ProPakistani, this initiative is part of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) under the World Bank-financed “Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP)” valued at $200 million.
The project aims to enhance access to and usage of digital services across Pakistan, focusing on broadband accessibility and bridging the digital gap prevalent in many regions of the country. Additionally, it will facilitate overarching improvements in the enabling environment, including reforms to expand broadband connectivity and reinforce the policy and legal framework for the digital economy.
DEEP will facilitate the adoption of institutional, policy, and regulatory best practices through technical support to implementation agencies such as the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoITT), NADRA, Punjab IT Board, Board of Investment (BoI), and other provincial institutions. As part of the project, NADRA will establish a data exchange layer for secure information sharing among government agencies and provide citizens with a digital ‘wallet’ for credential security.
Aligned with the 2018 Digital Pakistan Policy, the project will establish a comprehensive government-wide enterprise architecture and integrate government databases and systems through e-government service portals.
Moreover, DEEP is in line with the World Bank Group’s Country Partnership Strategy, aiming to foster inclusive and sustainable growth. It corresponds with the Systematic Country Diagnostic’s (2020) priority of “leveling the playing field” by investing in policies to enhance competitiveness and promote equity and inclusion. The project is expected to enhance the efficiency of digitally-enabled public services, thereby improving access to and the quality of basic services and enhancing social and human development outcomes in Pakistan.
The Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP) comprises three key components aimed at bolstering Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and governance mechanisms. Firstly, it focuses on improving the digital economy, governance, and service capabilities by providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoITT) for policy and regulatory reforms. Secondly, the project involves the establishment of the Pakistan Business Portal to modernize regulatory regimes across federal, provincial, and municipal levels, facilitating business operations and investment. Lastly, DEEP emphasizes effective project management through the establishment of Project Management Units (PMUs) to oversee and ensure the successful implementation of the project’s objectives. Through these initiatives, DEEP endeavors to enhance access to digital services, bridge the digital divide, and foster inclusive growth across Pakistan.
