Senator Palwasha Khan Alleges Her Personal Data Was Stolen

ISLAMABAD: The Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on IT, Senator Palwasha Khan, has revealed that her personal data was stolen. She explained that her data was stolen after she ordered items for children through an online app.

During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, Senator Palwasha Khan disclosed:

My data was stolen, and I suffered financial losses. I have filed a complaint with the FIA regarding the data theft.

Chairperson Palwasha Khan reiterated her concerns, stating, “My data was stolen through an online app, and I was defrauded.” Senator Anusha Rehman added, “People’s data is being stolen, and no one is taking this seriously. International companies are avoiding Pakistan due to the lack of data protection.”

In the same meeting, the committee decided to hold a public hearing on the Data Protection Bill. However, Senator Afnan Ullah protested over the handling of private member bills. “If my bills are not approved, then no other bill should be approved either. Whenever my bill is presented, the Ministry of IT adopts the same attitude,” said Senator Afnan Ullah.

The Additional Secretary of the Ministry of IT clarified that under the government’s new legislation policy, any bill involving financial matters will be moved by the government. In response, the Chairperson of the committee stated that the government cannot stop us from presenting bills.

Officials from the Ministry of IT informed the committee that consultations on the Data Protection Bill are ongoing. Senator Afnan Ullah questioned, “What kind of consultation process is this that never seems to end?” A member of the Ministry of IT added that some suggestions from stakeholders have been incorporated. Senator Afnan Ullah pointed out that the Federal Cabinet has already approved the Personal Data Protection Bill.

The Legal Member of the Ministry of IT explained that the government had approved the bill in 2022, but it will now need to be reapproved in principle. Frustrated, Senator Afnan Ullah remarked:

At this point, we might as well shut down the Ministry of IT. The ministry is outsourcing its responsibilities to others. Now you’re telling us that private member bills cannot be presented.

PTI Senator Humayun Mohmand suggested merging Senator Afnan Ullah’s Data Protection Bill with the government’s bill. However, Senator Afnan Ullah expressed his dissatisfaction, saying, “I spent months drafting the Virtual Assets Bill, but I was prevented from presenting it. This is a dictatorial mindset. If this continues, we might as well shut down Parliament.”

Read More: PTI ends negotiations with govt for not forming commissions

Senator Afnan Ullah also criticized the Ministry of Law for using Article 74 to block private member bills, announcing his intention to move a privilege motion on the matter.