The Government of Pakistan is preparing to launch BEEP, a locally developed secure messaging application designed exclusively for government officials. The platform draws inspiration from China’s WeChat and aims to enhance the security of official communications.
Authorities will roll out the app in phases over the next two months, beginning with federal ministries and their attached departments. Officials confirmed that the project remains on schedule and will meet its June 30, 2026, deadline.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom received an update on the project during its meeting on Tuesday. Committee Chairman Syed Aminul Haque directed the National Information Technology Board (NITB) CEO, Faisal Ratyal, to ensure a timely and smooth rollout.
Briefing the committee, Ratyal said BEEP will provide a secure and reliable communication platform for public-sector employees nationwide. He explained that the app will integrate with the federal e-Office system, enabling officials to exchange messages, share documents, and coordinate workflows within government institutions.
Read: Beep Pakistan Should Not Be Compared to WhatsApp: IT Minister
Ratyal said the app supports end-to-end encryption for text messages, voice calls, and video communications. These features make BEEP suitable for handling sensitive official discussions.
The standing committee had earlier raised concerns about the security of official communications, particularly following incidents reported during the global conflicts in 2024. Ratyal told lawmakers that developers added enhanced security features to address those concerns.
Responding to questions, Ratyal said the app will operate on a usage-based fee model. He added that the NITB is working to make BEEP financially self-sustaining over time. However, the IT secretary clarified that revenue generation is not the primary objective. Instead, the government aims to ensure secure, efficient, and dependable communication across state institutions.
The committee also learned that the National Computer Emergency Response Team (NCERT) has cleared the app for official deployment.
Currently, most officials rely on WhatsApp for calls, messaging, and file sharing. However, WhatsApp stores data on servers located outside Pakistan. In contrast, BEEP will host its data servers in-country and apply stricter security standards aligned with its WeChat-based model.
