Govt Plans Major Restructuring of IT Ministry to Lead Pakistan’s Digital Economy

The federal government has decided to undertake a major restructuring of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication as part of a broader effort to reposition it as a modern digital governance ministry capable of steering Pakistan’s digital economy over the next decade.

According to official terms of reference issued for the selection of a consulting firm, the government plans to redefine the ministry’s vision, mission, mandate, and institutional structure in light of rapid global changes in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data governance, cloud computing, platform economies, and digital public services.

The move marks a significant shift from the ministry’s existing telecom-centric structure. The current institutional setup was largely designed for a policy environment focused on telecommunications, while the digital economy now requires broader oversight of emerging technologies, cross-government digital transformation, digital regulation, innovation ecosystems, AI governance, and data governance.

Under the proposed plan, a consulting firm will be hired to assess the ministry’s existing structure, identify institutional and operational gaps, review overlaps between the ministry and its attached departments, and propose a new organizational framework aligned with Pakistan’s digital transformation priorities.

The restructuring exercise will also compare the ministry with leading digital governance ministries around the world. The consultant will recommend a new vision, mission, and mandate for the ministry, along with a revised organizational structure, job descriptions for key positions, staffing requirements, pay-scale implications, and a roadmap for implementation.

A key part of the assignment will be to recommend amendments to the Rules of Business 1973, where required, to reflect the ministry’s proposed new role and responsibilities. The consultant will also prepare a legal and regulatory reform roadmap to support the restructuring process.

The government has linked the reform process with the World Bank-assisted Digital Economy Enhancement Project, which aims to improve the state’s ability to deliver digital public services to citizens and businesses. The project includes work on digital public infrastructure, responsible data exchange, digital authentication, verifiable credentials, and the digitalization of public services through a national portal.

The restructuring plan will also support the Pakistan Business Portal, which is expected to digitalize business-related registrations, licences, certificates, and other permits. This is aimed at simplifying regulatory processes for businesses and improving access to government services.

The consultancy assignment will run for six months. During this period, the selected firm will prepare a diagnostic assessment, benchmarking report, future institutional framework, draft restructuring plan, implementation roadmap, capacity-building plan, and communication materials.

The final roadmap will be divided into short-term, medium-term, and long-term phases covering a 10-year period. It will include timelines, budget estimates, human resource requirements, technology needs, risk management, and change management strategies.

The reform effort will also involve key public institutions, including the Establishment Division, Finance Division, Cabinet Division, Planning Commission, Pakistan Digital Authority, PTA, NADRA, NITB, Ignite, Universal Service Fund, National Telecommunication Corporation, Pakistan Software Export Board, Special Technology Zones Authority, and provincial IT boards.

A high-level steering committee headed by the secretary of the IT ministry will oversee the assignment. Representatives from the Establishment Division, Finance Division, Planning Commission, and other stakeholders will also be part of the oversight process.

However, the success of the plan will depend on how far the government is willing to move beyond paperwork and actually implement institutional reforms. Pakistan has launched several digital transformation initiatives in the past, but weak coordination, overlapping mandates, and slow execution have often limited their impact. The latest restructuring will therefore be tested not by the quality of its roadmap, but by whether it leads to real administrative change.

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