Digital code, but?

The government's inclination to digitise society and create a universal national identity code for its citizens is appreciated. It is the way to go in a world where technology regulates the lives of all and sundry. From machine-readable passports to a database code prefixed on personal phone number encompassing an individual's health, professional, financial and personal assets is vogue in developed societies, and Pakistan is rather late in taking that path. But the point of concern in a politically polarised and a socio-subjugated society is: to what extent could the competent authority be trusted as data-leaks and compromising of information remain a constant fear, especially as rule of law takes a backseat? This is where the proposed legislation needs to apply the brakes, and start afresh after thoroughly debating and addressing the worries of intelligentsia, civil society and rights organisations.

The bill tabled in the lower house on Tuesday provides for creating two new national entities for stockpiling a centralised governance and, of course, monitoring system. It is stated that Nadra, FBR, SECP, SBP, banks, etc would feed relevant information, and the same will be available with the state just at the click of a button. So far so good! But the reservation is: what if fundamental rights of a citizen are breached, and what valve of safety or recourse to law he/she will have in case of an eventuality or digital harassment?

Pakistan these days is already under a set of coercive legislations that go on to limit social media freedom, right to speech and expression, as closure or slowdown of the internet is a new-normal. Thus, critics have a valid point to make in probing the government on the safeguards available with personal data with the governmental bodies, and that too under a single profile. The individual should be, likewise, empowered to have a say as regards the extent to which state-centric and private bodies will have access to his/her credentials and information. A digital system of checks and balances that squarely secures personal liberties and data is in need of being devised.