Pakistan is pushing toward a future where a single digital identity unlocks everything from healthcare to property records. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif outlined this vision during a review meeting on the national digital policy framework, signaling a major shift in how citizens interact with the state. Main Developments During a meeting in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz stated that the government's digitalization vision aims to give citizens access to all public facilities under one digital ID. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) released a statement quoting the premier, saying that after full implementation, people will access services like document verification, banking, health, and transfers through a single platform. The prime minister directed that the digital vision be implemented first in priority sectors: health, agriculture, utilities, housing, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In the housing sector, a central identification number will be assigned to all private and public properties. For SMEs, the system will create a unique legal identity for businesses, which the PMO said would boost national production. Read also: Swat Operation: Policeman Killed, Four Militants Dead in Ongoing Matta Clash Background The National Digital Commission (NDC) was established under the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025. Chaired by the prime minister, it includes all provincial chief ministers as members. The meeting was attended by key cabinet members including Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, along with the State Bank of Pakistan governor. Last week, the premier launched an AI-based digitization platform for the PMO to replace paper-based governance. Earlier this month, Pakistan became a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (Waico) after Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar signed the agreement in Shanghai. In February, PM Shehbaz announced a $1 billion investment in Pakistan's AI sector by 2030. Why It Matters A centralized digital ID system could streamline access to government services that currently require multiple verifications and separate registrations. The PMO statement noted that work is underway on 14 priority sectors beyond the initial five, including food and energy, which could positively impact the national economy and trade. The newly established central data centre, Sky 47, with an 8.5 megawatt capacity, is expected to serve as a focal point for all institutional data. PM Shehbaz argued that preventing separate data centres across institutions would save national resources. The Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) is shaping this as a revolutionary direction for government services and urban facilities. What's Next The PMO statement indicated that an NDC meeting should be convened soon to bring all stakeholders on board, including provincial governments. All legal, administrative, and institutional measures for the vision's implementation are being completed rapidly, with input from international experts and global best practices. The premier directed immediate steps to make Sky 47's facilities available to all federal institutions. The government aims to implement the digital system in priority sectors "as soon as possible," though no specific timeline has been announced.