by In a pivotal policy update, the Government of Pakistan has officially decided to retain the National Information Technology Board (NITB) under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), reversing earlier recommendations to dissolve it. This marks a critical milestone in the country’s digital governance strategy.
🧠From Dissolution to Retention: What Changed?
Earlier this year, the Rightsizing Committee had proposed dissolving NITB—formed in 2014 through merging the Pakistan Computer Bureau and Electronic Government Directorate—and reallocating its functions to other agencies as part of cost-cutting and structural reform efforts.
However, mounting concerns about potential disruptions to ongoing digital projects led the MoITT to intervene. In March 2025, the Ministry formally requested a reversal of the dissolution decision, highlighting NITB’s pivotal role in managing over 100 government digital platforms and more than 500 completed e-governance projects.
Govt Decides to Retain NITB Under Ministry of IT.
🔍 Why Retaining NITB Matters
1. Seamless E‑Governance Continuity
NITB oversees core digital services—Government-to-Citizen (G2C), Government-to-Government (G2G), and Government-to-Business (G2B). Breaking up the Board midstream risked destabilizing critical services.
2. Cost-Efficient Digital Infrastructure
Born of a 2022 autonomy drive via the NITB Act, the Board has built scalable IT infrastructure. Scrapping it would demand reestablishing these capacities—costly and time-consuming.
3. Confirmed Leadership & Direction
With the contract of NITB Director Imran Maqsood extended, the Ministry has reinforced leadership stability, signaling commitment to continued progress.
đź’¬ Stakeholder Reactions
- Ministry of IT: Advocates assert the dissolution would undercut Pakistan’s e-governance agenda and degrade public services.
- Rightsizing Committee: While seeking leaner structures and eliminated overlaps, concerns remain around shifting procurement duties away from NITB .
- Tech & Public Sector: Experts and administrators underline that dismantling NITB risks delays in project delivery and leveraging its institutional knowledge.
đź”— What Lies Ahead
MoITT’s appeal is now awaiting final approval from the Prime Minister’s Office and federal cabinet. If accepted, NITB will remain under MoITT, continuing its mandate to drive digital transformation efforts nationwide.
đź“Ś Final Takeaway
Retaining NITB represents a strategic decision to preserve the engine behind Pakistan’s digital governance push. Leadership clarity, project continuity, and robust IT infrastructure will be preserved. This reversal boosts confidence among public service stakeholders and digital citizens across the country.
