Islamabad, Pakistan – The Pakistani government is poised to launch “Beep Pakistan,” a communication application tailored specifically for federal officials and employees. The developers of this app have made it clear: comparisons to the widely-used messaging platform WhatsApp are unwelcome.
Beep Pakistan: A New Era of Secure Communication
Shaza Fatima Khwaja, the state minister for information technology and telecommunication, shared insights about the app, which is currently undergoing trial runs within her ministry. She emphasized that Beep Pakistan aims to facilitate secure and unified communication among government officials, prioritizing the protection of privacy and data. “We have developed an application focused on secure and unified communication among government officials. The purpose of Beep Pakistan is to protect our privacy and data,” she stated in an interview with Al Jazeera.
Initially introduced in August 2023 by then-Minister of IT Syed Aminul Haque as Pakistan’s answer to WhatsApp, the government is now keen to clarify that such comparisons are misguided. Khwaja remarked, “Any comparison to WhatsApp is misplaced, as there is no intention to compete with any third-party platform.”
This announcement arrives amid a backdrop of increasing internet disruptions faced by Pakistani users. Earlier this year, the government confirmed a ban on the social media platform X, citing “security threats.” Complaints regarding internet throttling have surged, with users reporting difficulties accessing multimedia content on WhatsApp. Despite these issues, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar dismissed the complaints, attributing them to a global technology outage.
Concerns regarding WhatsApp’s security have long been a topic of discussion within the Pakistani government, particularly following reports in December 2019 that senior officials were targeted by Pegasus spyware. In response, the government had previously advised officials against using WhatsApp for sensitive communications and announced plans for a local communication app to enhance security.
Khwaja reiterated that Beep Pakistan is designed to ensure “data privacy and protection” for government communications. While the app will initially be available for government departments, she hinted at the possibility of extending its use to the general public in the future, should there be demand. However, she dismissed fears of a WhatsApp ban as “unnecessary exaggerations,” asserting that citizens are free to choose their preferred communication platforms.
Babar Majid Bhatti, the chief executive of the National Information Technology Board (NITB), which is responsible for developing the application, echoed Khwaja’s sentiments. He stressed that Beep Pakistan is fundamentally different from WhatsApp, stating, “WhatsApp is a commercial product, whereas Beep Pakistan is an official, unified secure platform. Their purposes and objectives are different.”
Haque, the former minister who initiated the app’s development, highlighted a strategic vision behind Beep Pakistan. He expressed the desire for Pakistan to have its own messaging app, akin to China’s WeChat or the United States’ WhatsApp. “This is an entirely made-in-Pakistan product,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of having a homegrown solution.
Bhatti confirmed that the app was developed with contributions from Pakistani developers in the private sector, although he refrained from disclosing specific details about its safety features or development costs. He assured that safety and security are paramount, stating, “The fundamental pillar of any application, particularly Beep Pakistan, is its safety and security, and I assure you that this application includes all necessary layers, including encryption.”
However, Beep Pakistan’s privacy policy indicates that the application will collect various types of information, including device location and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. This data will be stored on local servers managed by the National Telecom Corporation (NTC), the government’s official telecom provider. The policy asserts that personal information will not be shared with third parties, although it acknowledges the potential for legal disclosures.
Despite assurances, digital rights activists express concerns regarding the app’s data security. Ramsha Jahangir, a digital rights expert, pointed out vulnerabilities inherent in government applications, questioning the safety of sensitive user data. She remarked, “One of the greatest vulnerabilities of government apps is the exposure of sensitive user data through unsecured data or app assets.”
Experts also caution against the challenges faced by other countries in launching similar initiatives. The Indian social media platform Koo, for instance, has struggled to maintain its footing despite government backing. Jahangir noted, “Building an app requires significant technical expertise, time, consistency, and resources.”
Ultimately, she emphasized that local solutions should prioritize user privacy rather than merely expanding government control over the private sector.
