Pakistan is preparing to launch the pilot phase of the National Data Exchange Layer (NDEL), marking a significant move toward building a digitally connected and transparent government system. Scheduled for December, this initiative will redefine how citizens access essential services by centralizing and simplifying data exchange between various public sector entities. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced during a press conference that the pilot rollout of NDEL will commence in December. The platform is being developed by NADRA in close collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.
Speaking alongside ministers from Finance, Power, and Privatisation, Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated that NDEL is designed to create a secure, unified ecosystem where government institutions can seamlessly share and verify information. This integration aims to enhance transparency, improve governance, and deliver faster, more efficient public services. Once operational, NDEL will enable citizens to perform tasks such as paying utility bills, renewing ID cards, and verifying academic degrees online without visiting government offices. By consolidating data sharing across institutions, the system will reduce paperwork, cut processing times, and strengthen coordination among departments.
The minister highlighted that the transition toward digital public service delivery will not only improve efficiency but also contribute to economic growth. Citing a study by the Bank for International Settlements, she explained that a 10 percent increase in digital payments could add one percent to Pakistan’s GDP. For an economy valued at around $400 billion, this could translate into an estimated $40 billion boost. She added that after the launch of NDEL, a majority of government services will become available through mobile applications, offering citizens convenient access to services without standing in long queues.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja also discussed ongoing progress in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem. Over 45 million electricity bills have already been digitized through QR-based payment systems in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and the National IT Board. In addition, more than one million women have opened digital bank accounts through the Benazir Income Support Programme, with nearly eight million now actively using these accounts. NADRA’s Pak ID app now supports QR payments for CNICs and family certificates, while the Islamabad Super App and Smart Islamabad are integrated with Raast, enabling residents to pay taxes digitally. Through Smart Islamabad, citizens have collectively paid more than Rs1 billion in vehicle token taxes this year.
The government plans to expand digital services nationwide once the National Data Exchange Layer is fully operational. This unified data system will enable faster, transparent, and secure service delivery, helping citizens across Pakistan access government services with greater ease and reliability. More information about the initiative is available on the official Ministry of IT website at https://moitt.gov.pk.
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