The Federal Government has appointed Faisal Iqbal Ratyal, Director General (Telecom) at the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), as the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Information Technology Board (NITB) for a period of three months.
The decision was made official through a government notification and follows a resolution passed by the NITB Board of Directors during its 9th meeting on May 6, 2025. The appointment has been made under the National Information Technology Board (Appointment, Powers and Functions of Chief Executive Officer) Regulations, 2025, and takes immediate effect.
As part of his interim role, Ratyal will receive an additional allowance equivalent to 20 percent of his current gross salary, acknowledging the expanded responsibilities during this transitional period.
This move comes after the tenure of former CEO Babar Majeed Bhatti ended, leaving the leadership position at NITB vacant. To maintain continuity in operations and strategic oversight, the Ministry of IT opted to place Ratyal in charge temporarily while longer-term decisions are considered.
At the same time, there is an ongoing conversation about the status and future of NITB itself. Following the end of the former CEO’s tenure, the Prime Minister’s Office instructed the Ministry of IT to seek federal cabinet approval for the potential reinstatement of NITB, which had earlier been slated for dissolution. The final verdict on whether the board will continue to exist as a standalone entity now lies with the Federal Cabinet, and a formal decision is expected in the coming weeks.
The National Information Technology Board, a key organization in Pakistan’s digital governance landscape, is responsible for leading IT policy implementation, fostering government digitization, and ensuring inter-agency technological collaboration. Its role has become increasingly significant in the context of the government’s broader Digital Pakistan agenda.
Ratyal, known for his strong background in telecom and public sector digitization, is expected to provide steady leadership during this transitional phase. His appointment ensures that NITB remains functional and aligned with national priorities as the federal government evaluates its long-term digital governance framework.
The temporary leadership arrangement also signals the government’s intent to ensure stability in digital transformation initiatives, even as structural reforms are under consideration. Stakeholders within the public sector IT ecosystem will be closely watching the next steps, especially regarding the Cabinet’s pending decision on the legal and operational status of the NITB.
As Pakistan accelerates its digitization journey, continuity in leadership at key institutions like NITB remains crucial. With Faisal Iqbal Ratyal now at the helm in an acting capacity, the focus will likely be on maintaining momentum while aligning NITB’s strategic direction with the evolving priorities of the Ministry of IT and Telecom.
