Pakistan to launch own messaging app for government officials

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (MNTV) — Pakistan is preparing to roll out a locally developed secure messaging application, “Beep,” for government employees in the coming months, lawmakers were told on Tuesday.

Officials from the National Information Technology Board (NITB) informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom that the application is nearing completion and remains on track to meet its project deadline of June 30, 2026, according to Dawn.

NITB Chief Executive Officer Faisal Iqbal Ratyal said Beep, inspired by China’s WeChat, has been developed domestically and certified by relevant government agencies for official use. Committee Chairman Syed Aminul Haque directed the board to ensure the application is launched on schedule.

Ratyal said the platform’s initial rollout would begin within two months, starting with federal ministries and attached departments, before expanding nationwide. The app will be integrated with Pakistan’s federal e-Office system, enabling secure messaging, document sharing, and workflow coordination across government institutions.

According to the NITB, Beep will provide end-to-end encryption for text messages and video calls used by public sector officials. Ratyal said additional security layers have been incorporated to address concerns over data protection and the confidentiality of sensitive communications.

Committee members raised questions about cybersecurity risks, citing recent global incidents involving digital platforms. Ratyal responded that Beep’s encryption standards have been strengthened to ensure suitability for official and sensitive discussions.

On costs, he said the platform would operate on a usage-based fee model and is expected to become financially self-sustaining over time.

The IT secretary told lawmakers that revenue generation was not the primary objective, stressing that secure, efficient, and reliable communication within state institutions remains the priority. The committee was also informed that the National Computer Emergency Response Team has cleared the application for official deployment.

While WhatsApp remains the most widely used messaging platform in Pakistan, officials noted that its servers are located outside the country. Beep’s servers, by contrast, will be based domestically, with security safeguards modeled in part on WeChat.

Lawmakers were further briefed that integrating Beep with the federal e-Office system — introduced to reduce paperwork and improve transparency — is expected to strengthen internal coordination and reduce operational risks.