The federal government has initiated a major restructuring plan for the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, aiming to transform it into a modern digital governance institution capable of leading Pakistan’s digital economy over the next decade.
According to official terms of reference issued for the selection of a consulting firm, the restructuring will redefine the ministry’s vision, mission, mandate, and institutional structure in response to rapid global advancements in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data governance, and digital public services.
Officials said the current structure of the ministry is largely telecom-focused and no longer aligned with the evolving demands of a digital economy, which now requires broader oversight of emerging technologies, digital regulation, innovation ecosystems, and government-wide digital transformation.
Under the proposed initiative, a consulting firm will be engaged to evaluate the ministry’s existing structure, identify institutional and operational gaps, and assess overlaps with attached departments. The firm will also propose a new organizational framework aligned with national digital transformation priorities.
The restructuring exercise will include benchmarking against leading international digital governance models. The consultant will be tasked with drafting a new vision, mission, and mandate for the ministry, along with recommendations on organizational structure, staffing requirements, job descriptions, pay scales, and implementation roadmap.
A key component of the assignment involves proposing amendments to the Rules of Business 1973 where necessary, along with a broader legal and regulatory reform framework to support institutional changes.
The reform process is linked to the World Bank-assisted Digital Economy Enhancement Project, which focuses on digital public infrastructure, secure data exchange, digital authentication systems, verifiable credentials, and expanded digital service delivery through a national portal.
The initiative also supports development of the Pakistan Business Portal, designed to digitize business registrations, licenses, certificates, and regulatory approvals to simplify procedures for entrepreneurs and investors.
The consultancy will run for six months and will produce a comprehensive output including diagnostic assessments, benchmarking studies, institutional redesign proposals, and a long-term implementation roadmap spanning 10 years.
The roadmap will be divided into short-term, medium-term, and long-term phases, outlining timelines, budget estimates, human resource needs, technology requirements, risk management strategies, and change management frameworks.
A high-level steering committee led by the Secretary of the IT Ministry will oversee the process, with representation from key institutions including the Establishment Division, Finance Division, Planning Commission, Pakistan Digital Authority, PTA, NADRA, NITB, Ignite, Universal Service Fund, National Telecommunication Corporation, Pakistan Software Export Board, and Special Technology Zones Authority.
Officials emphasized that the success of the reform will depend on its implementation. While Pakistan has launched multiple digital transformation initiatives in the past, challenges such as weak coordination, overlapping mandates, and slow execution have often limited results. The current restructuring effort will therefore be judged not only by its planning quality but also by its ability to deliver real institutional change.
