Islamabad:
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has received six applications from cloud service providers seeking accreditation under the government’s Cloud First Policy, officials familiar with the development said.
According to ministry sources, the applications are currently under review as part of the accreditation process designed to ensure compliance with national data security, infrastructure, and service standards.
Push Towards Cloud-Based Government Infrastructure
The Cloud First Policy, approved by the federal cabinet on February 15, 2022, directs government institutions to prioritise cloud-based IT solutions instead of maintaining traditional on-premises systems.
Officials say the policy aims to modernise public sector technology infrastructure, reduce operational costs, and improve efficiency and accessibility of digital government services.
Accreditation Process Underway
Sources in the ministry said accreditation standards for cloud service providers were formally approved on June 25, 2024, establishing regulatory benchmarks for companies seeking to host government data and provide digital infrastructure services.
Under the framework, accredited cloud providers will be required to undergo regular ICT audits to ensure compliance with security protocols, operational performance, and data governance requirements.
Data Security and Local Storage Requirements
The policy introduces strict data management guidelines, dividing government data into five sensitivity categories to strengthen security and regulatory oversight.
Officials added that the majority of government data must be stored in data centres located within Pakistan, a move aimed at enhancing data sovereignty, strengthening cybersecurity, and ensuring regulatory control over sensitive information.
Expected Impact on Digital Public Services
Technology policy analysts say the transition to cloud infrastructure is expected to improve scalability, reliability, and service delivery across federal institutions. Officials believe the initiative will ultimately enhance citizen access to digital government services while streamlining operational costs.
The MoITT is continuing the accreditation process as part of broader efforts to accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation and establish unified standards for public sector data management and cybersecurity.
