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The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has officially triggered a search for a consulting firm to overhaul Pakistan’s digital defences. Backed by the World Bank’s $77.73 million Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP), the initiative promises to redesign the country’s cyber governance from the ground up.
The deadline for firms to submit proposals is December 15, 2025.
The government has given interested global and local firms just two weeks to prepare bids for what is arguably the most complex digital reform in the country’s history. For a bureaucracy often accused of “looking busy while doing nothing”, this rush raises eyebrows. Is this a genuine leap toward cyber readiness, or a race to tick boxes before the fiscal year ends?
The MoITT “Wish List”: Zero-Trust, Quantum & AI
The official Terms of Reference (ToRs) read like a buzzword bingo of modern cybersecurity. The selected firm is expected to deliver a “sweeping gap analysis” and a fully drafted Cyber Security Act within just 12 months.
The scope is staggeringly broad. MoITT is asking for a policy update along with a transition to Zero-Trust Architecture. They want frameworks for Post-Quantum Cryptography, regulations for Industrial Control Systems (ICS), and specific protocols for Child Online Protection.
Furthermore, the firm must design a “National Cyber Security Authority” and create grading criteria for Critical Information Infrastructures (CIIs) across energy, finance, and telecom sectors.
Arguably, expecting a single consultancy to solve Pakistan’s legislative gaps, implement quantum-proof standards, and fix the country’s ITU Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) ranking in one year is optimistic at best.
Sceptical Reality: A System Under Strain
Officials are framing this as a transformative moment to plug holes in the digital ecosystem. However, the on-ground reality is stark. Pakistan’s digital infrastructure is expanding, but it remains exposed.
The tender documents admit the need for a massive “Blue & Red Teaming” culture, essentially cyber war games, to test readiness. Yet, without established legal definitions for cyber warfare or a functional authority, these drills remain hypothetical.
The narrative from Islamabad suggests that this initiative will allow Pakistan to leapfrog a decade in cyber readiness. However, seasoned observers of Pakistan’s digital policy know that drafting a law is easy, but passing and enforcing it is where reforms usually die.
The 12-Month Sprint
The winning firm faces a gruelling timeline. They must deploy a team led by a Project Head with at least 10 years of national-level experience, alongside legal and technical experts.
Their deliverables are piled high.
- Drafting the Cyber Security Act: Covering everything from data breach notifications to penalties for negligence.
- Diplomacy: Creating templates for Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) and international MoUs.
- Exports: Developing a plan to boost Pakistan’s cybersecurity software exports.
The clock is ticking, not just for the applicants, but for the credibility of the project itself.
