The federal cabinet has formally approved the decision to retain the National Information Technology Board (NITB) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT). This move overturns an earlier plan to dissolve the organization, which was initiated under the government’s Rightsizing Committee in a broader administrative restructuring effort. The decision was made in accordance with the Rules of Business 1973 after MoITT submitted a request for reconsideration.
Previously, the government had proposed to abolish NITB, with the intention that IT-related procurement, including hardware and software, would be decentralized. Under the suggested structure, individual ministries and departments would manage their own technology acquisitions through their respective procurement entities, effectively eliminating the central coordinating role played by NITB. The idea was to streamline operational autonomy at the departmental level and reduce reliance on a single IT governance body.
In response to that directive, MoITT presented a formal summary to the cabinet emphasizing that NITB plays a vital role in national digital transformation. The ministry highlighted the board’s contributions in areas such as public sector automation, platform development, and technical advisory support for federal institutions. It noted that the continued existence of NITB is essential to ensure consistency in digital governance, technology deployment, and capacity building across various arms of the federal government.
Formed in 2014 through the merger of the Pakistan Computer Bureau and the Electronic Government Directorate, NITB was established to unify and standardize IT operations in the public sector. In 2022, it was granted autonomous status via an act of Parliament, giving it financial and operational independence. This autonomy was intended to enable the board to operate more efficiently while providing strategic oversight and guidance through its governing body, which includes members from both the public and private sectors.
The cabinet’s decision reflects recognition of NITB’s institutional value and its contributions to advancing the government’s digital objectives. The board’s mandate includes the development and deployment of digital platforms, policy input for national IT frameworks, and the execution of key e-governance projects. It also provides consultation on cybersecurity, cloud architecture, and emerging technologies that are integral to modernizing public administration.
By maintaining NITB under MoITT, the government ensures a centralized mechanism remains in place to coordinate cross-ministerial digital projects, encourage policy standardization, and deliver technology solutions in a unified manner. The move also safeguards continuity for existing digital infrastructure projects, many of which rely on NITB’s support to meet implementation and integration requirements across federal departments.
