Institutional Reforms Committee Issues Recommendations for Rightsizing of IT Ministry

The Institutional Reforms Committee has issued new recommendations for the Ministry of IT and Telecom. The committee proposes shutting down the Telecom Foundation and privatizing its subsidiaries. Established in 1991 under The Charitable Endowment Act, 1890, the Telecom Foundation has been a self-supporting entity providing welfare services for employees of PTCL, PTA, NTC, and FAB through its telecom and engineering services. Additionally, the committee recommends a major restructuring of the National Information Technology Board (NITB), suggesting it become a dynamic learning organization by partnering with private service providers and adopting an outsourced model to boost efficiency and innovation. It also advises the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) to increase its revenue to at least Rs. 1 billion and reduce reliance on federal funding, with occasional Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) investments. The committee has also endorsed the continuation of the Universal Service Fund, Virtual University, and Electronic Certification Accreditation Council in their current roles. For the Ignite – National Technology Fund, the recommendation is to continue its operations but to permit private sector intervention once market failures are addressed. The Ministry of IT and Telecom has received these recommendations and is now preparing an action plan for their implementation.