Pakistan has begun a significant upgrade of its national cybersecurity framework through the World Bank supported Digital Economy Enhancement Project DEEP valued at 77.73 million dollars. The initiative aims to modernize systems and strengthen defenses across a rapidly expanding digital environment by bringing international expertise into the evaluation and restructuring process. According to the Request for Expression of Interest issued by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication MoITT, the government is seeking a qualified international consulting firm that will examine the existing cybersecurity landscape, evaluate institutional capacity and help establish updated frameworks for long term digital security. This marks an important stage for Pakistan as it focuses on ensuring that cybersecurity planning matches the pace of digital growth.
The consulting firm selected for the project will be responsible for conducting an extensive gap analysis across government departments, critical information infrastructure and private sector networks. The evaluation will explore weaknesses in legal structures, technical systems, human resource availability and institutional readiness. Finance, energy, healthcare, IT and telecommunications are among the key sectors identified for sectoral readiness assessments due to their importance in national operations. The project also includes reviewing the National Cyber Security Policy and Strategy from 2021. The updated framework is expected to introduce strategic priorities related to zero trust architecture, enhancements in incident response, strengthened public private partnerships and approaches tailored for cybersecurity requirements in the post generative AI era. A structured implementation plan will be developed with measurable indicators and clarified responsibilities across federal and provincial levels.
Policy reform is a central part of the effort, supported by plans to introduce a new Cybersecurity Act aimed at regulating critical infrastructure operators. The law will define breach reporting protocols, audit obligations and penalties for non compliance. It will follow global standards such as ITU, NIST and ISO while proposing the establishment of a National Cyber Security Authority responsible for enforcement across sectors. Additional guidelines will focus on cloud security, mitigation of AI enabled attacks and preparation for post quantum cryptography. The Act is positioned to create a uniform structure for cybersecurity operations and introduce formal mechanisms that can address threats with greater consistency across organizations.
The project places substantial emphasis on capacity development by identifying gaps in technical skills, available training programs and workforce specialization. The consultancy will propose certification pathways, cyber drills, academic curriculum updates and research focused initiatives that support national talent development. Suggestions for strengthening the cybersecurity industry are also part of the assignment with attention on encouraging startups, promoting export oriented service providers and supporting organizations that contribute to Pakistan’s cybersecurity ecosystem. The project underlines the importance of building a skilled workforce capable of managing sophisticated digital environments and responding effectively to sector specific challenges.
Coordination among government bodies, private entities, academia and civil society is a major requirement of the DEEP initiative. The consulting firm will design stakeholder consultation processes that include roundtables, forums and inter agency coordination structures to ensure that feedback from all sectors informs the updated framework. Outcomes from these engagements will be documented along with draft agreements for international cooperation, including templates for MoUs and Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties. By building channels for structured collaboration, Pakistan aims to strengthen its digital governance model and reinforce its cybersecurity preparedness through consistent engagement with both national and international partners.
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