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The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has officially launched a bid to overhaul Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. Under the World Bank-funded Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP), the Ministry is hiring a consultancy firm to draft a National Fiberization Policy (NFP) and design a Right-of-Way (RoW) One-Window Portal.
This initiative aims to fix critical gaps in the country’s connectivity and enhance digital public service delivery.
MoITT Vision 2029: From Lagging to Leading
Pakistan’s current infrastructure numbers paint a stark picture. The country is currently absent from global Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) rankings. Furthermore, only 14% of mobile towers are fiberised. In comparison, neighbours like India and Bangladesh have achieved significantly higher fiberization rates of 33.8% and 34%, respectively.
To reverse this trend, MoITT has set aggressive targets for 2029:
- Massive Expansion: Deploy 8–10 million new optical fibre-based household connections nationwide.
- Tower Upgrades: Achieve 80% fiberization of mobile towers to support network capacity and reliability.
- High Speed: Ensure a minimum fixed broadband speed of 100 Mbps per user.
- Global Recognition: Position Pakistan in the top 50 of the Ookla global speed rankings.
MoITT Cutting Red Tape: The RoW One-Window Portal
A major bottleneck for telecom operators is the approval process for laying fibre, known as Right-of-Way (RoW). Currently, these approvals can take over 100 days.
To solve this, the selected firm will design a One-Window Digital Portal. This platform will harmonise policies across federal, provincial, and local agencies. The objective is to slash processing times to 75 days initially, with an ultimate goal of bringing them under 65 days.
Strategic Shift: Microwave to Fibre
The consultancy will also guide a technological shift. Currently, Pakistan relies heavily on microwave spectrum for backhaul. The firm must develop a Microwave Administrative Incentive Pricing (AIP) strategy.
This policy tool will incentivise a transition away from microwave and toward fibre-optic networks, which is essential for 4G densification and 5G readiness. Additionally, the consultants will propose hybrid models, integrating satellite broadband (LEO/MEO/GEO) to cover hard-to-reach areas.
Submission Details
This is a six-month assignment aimed at producing bankable feasibility studies, investment pitches, and legal reforms. MoITT requires a multidisciplinary team, including policy advisors, telecom engineers, legal experts, and UI/UX designers.
Interested firms must submit their expressions of interest by 14:00 Hours on December 24, 2025.
