The Government of Pakistan is set to introduce a new secure messaging application, BEEP, aimed at improving official communication across state institutions.
Developed locally, the app is designed specifically for government officials and is inspired by China’s widely used WeChat platform.
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The rollout is expected to begin in phases over the next two months, starting with federal ministries and their attached departments.
Officials informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom that the project is progressing as planned and is expected to meet its June 30, 2026 deadline.
During a committee meeting on Tuesday, Chairman Syed Aminul Haque directed National Information Technology Board (NITB) Chief Executive Faisal Ratyal to ensure that the launch remains on schedule.
Briefing the committee, Faisal Ratyal said BEEP aims to provide a secure and reliable communication platform for public-sector employees nationwide.
He explained that the app will be integrated with the federal e-Office system, allowing officials to send messages, share documents and manage workflows within government departments.
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Ratyal added that BEEP will offer end-to-end encryption for text messages, voice calls and video calls, making it suitable for sensitive official communication.
The committee had previously expressed concerns over the safety of government data and official correspondence, particularly in light of incidents seen during global conflicts in 2024.
In response, the NITB chief said several new security features have been added to address these concerns.
Answering a question from committee members, Ratyal said the app would operate on a usage-based fee model, with efforts underway to make it financially sustainable in the long run.
However, the IT secretary clarified that generating revenue was not the main objective, stressing that secure, efficient and dependable communication remained the top priority.
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The committee was also informed that the National Computer Emergency Response Team has approved the app for official deployment.
Currently, WhatsApp remains the most commonly used platform for messaging, calls and file sharing, but its data servers are located outside Pakistan.
In contrast, BEEP’s data servers will be based within the country, with enhanced security features modelled on China’s WeChat system.
