The Government of Pakistan has developed a new communication app called “Beep Pakistan” as an alternative to WhatsApp, specifically for federal officials and employees.
Current Trials and Launch Plans
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication is currently testing the app. It is expected to be launched in other government departments soon.
Purpose and Development
State Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khwaja, stated that the app was created to ensure secure and unified communication among government officials, protecting their privacy and data.
Initial Announcement and Clarifications
Former IT Minister Syed Aminul Haque first announced the app in August 2023 as Pakistan’s alternative to WhatsApp. However, the current government clarified that Beep Pakistan is meant only for government officials, not the general public, and is not intended to compete with WhatsApp.
Government Communication Policy
The Pakistani government has instructed officials to avoid sending sensitive and confidential documents via WhatsApp. This comes amid various internet disruptions in Pakistan.
Social Media and Internet Issues
In April, the government confirmed a ban on the social media platform X due to “security threats.” Recently, users have faced issues with internet speed and accessing multimedia content on WhatsApp. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar attributed these issues to a global technology outage.
Enhancing Data Privacy
The IT Minister stated that Beep Pakistan would improve data privacy and protection in government communications. While it is currently for government use, it could be offered to the general public in the future. However, there are no plans to block WhatsApp in Pakistan.
NITB’s Role and Perspective
Babar Majid Bhatti, Chief Executive of the National Information Technology Board (NITB), emphasized that Beep Pakistan is an official, secure platform and should not be compared to WhatsApp. He highlighted that WhatsApp is a commercial product, while Beep Pakistan serves a different purpose.
