Pakistan to launch local secure messaging app ‘Beep’ for govt use

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan plans to roll out a locally developed secure messaging platform, Beep, for government employees in the coming months. This was shared during the meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom on Tuesday.

The idea of Beep was first announced in August 2023, and despite earlier comparisons with WhatsApp, the government maintains that Beep will not be competing with the commercial app.

According to a news report by Dawn, the Beep app is modeled on China’s WeChat, and has been developed by the National Information Technology Board (NITB). It is also certified for official use. It is designed to offer end-to-end encryption for text messages and video calls, ensuring secure communication for federal ministries and attached departments.

NITB Chief Executive Faisal Iqbal Ratyal told the committee that the phased rollout would begin within two months and be fully integrated with the federal e-Office system to facilitate document sharing and workflow coordination. The project aims to strengthen internal communication, reduce operational risks, and improve efficiency across government institutions.

Committee members raised concerns over data security, referencing global incidents that exposed vulnerabilities in digital platforms. Ratyal said Beep’s encryption had been enhanced and servers would be based in Pakistan, unlike WhatsApp, whose servers are located abroad.

The committee also criticised Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) claim of 99 per cent user satisfaction with mobile and internet services, calling the figures inconsistent with widespread connectivity issues. Lawmakers urged independent audits to ensure credibility and transparency in future assessments.