The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved the E-Safety Bill 2023 (E-Safety Bill 2023) on the recommendation of the Ministry of Information Technology (IT), in a bid to protect users’ data and prevent illegal use of information systems.
Under this law, a comprehensive framework will be established to ensure the protection and unauthorized use of user data on all types of online services, online shopping, and data provided to various companies, and social networking websites in Pakistan.
The meeting of the cabinet was held here with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.
According to the provisions of the bill, individuals and entities will be required to obtain a license from the e-safety authority in order to create any web channels, including popular platforms like YouTube.
This move aims to bring more accountability and transparency to online content creation and distribution.
Additionally, the bill proposes to transfer the power of monitoring, imposing fines, and closing social media accounts from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to the new e-safety authority.
Furthermore, all powers of the FIA Cyber Crimes Wing will be transferred to this authority, streamlining the process of dealing with cyber-crimes effectively.
The decision to establish a separate authority was driven by the need to relieve the FIA from an additional burden, while ensuring a focused approach towards safeguarding digital platforms and promoting responsible online behavior.
The federal cabinet also approved in principle the Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.
Under this bill, the government will ensure the security of the user’s personal information/data of various organizations and companies and prohibit sharing of the user’s information/data with any company, individual, or government organization without their permission.
Under the law, the National Commission for Personal Data Protection (NCPDP) will be established which will act as a civil court to protect the private documents/data of the users and redress the grievances of the complainants.
The federal cabinet also gave assent to the draft amendment bill of the Investment Board Ordinance 2001 for the promotion of foreign investment in Pakistan.
The amendment will empower the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) as well as lay down its basic structure, working procedures, and cooperation mechanisms with various ministries and provincial governments.
After the law is passed, the SIFC will ensure the speedy implementation of foreign investment projects in the country.
The federal cabinet, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Anti-Narcotics, established a ministerial committee under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif to finalize the contents of the National Cannabis Policy.
In this regard, the committee will present its recommendation to the federal committee in the next meeting.
The federal cabinet approved the reorganization of accountability courts on the recommendation of the Ministry of Law and Justice, under which 11 accountability courts will be changed into seven banking courts, two intellectual tribunals, a special court central, and a special court in Balochistan. This restructuring will not incur any additional costs.
The federal cabinet also approved the reorganization of the Board of Directors of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline (SNGPL) besides approving the appointment of members of the Selection Committee of Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority.
The federal cabinet approved the National Adaptation Plan 2023 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Climate Change. Under the plan, the government, along with other partners, will take measures to protect climate-prone communities from the adverse effects of climate change.
