Pakistan is set to launch “Beep Pakistan,” a homegrown messaging app, initially for government employees and later for the public. Introduced last August by then-IT Minister Amin ul Haque, the app supports audio, video, messaging, conference calls for up to 200 people, and document sharing.
Haque, now leading the National Assembly’s IT Committee, announced that government officials are already using Beep Pakistan, and it will be rolled out to all government employees within 45 days. Unlike WhatsApp, Beep Pakistan’s servers will be located domestically, ensuring data security.
Baber Majeed Bhatti, CEO of the National Information Technology Board (NITB), stated that the app aims to provide a unified, secure communication platform for the government. However, details about the app’s developers and cost remain undisclosed.
While the app’s public launch is planned, concerns over data protection and internet infrastructure have been raised by digital rights activists. Despite these challenges, Beep Pakistan represents a significant step towards enhancing secure communication within the country.