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Pakistan is preparing to launch a new secure messaging platform for government employees, as the National Information Technology Board confirmed that BEEP is ready for official use. The update was shared during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, where NITB CEO Faisal Iqbal Ratyal briefed lawmakers on the progress and security features of the app.
According to Faisal Iqbal, all relevant government agencies have certified the BEEP application, while National PKCERT has formally declared it secure. He said the app offers stronger features than WhatsApp, including fully encrypted video communications, noting that WhatsApp currently encrypts messaging only.
The BEEP app will be launched in phases, with ministries set to receive access in the first stage. Faisal Iqbal said the application is expected to go live within two months and will later be linked with the federal e Office system to streamline official workflows and internal communications.
The NITB CEO added that a usage fee would be introduced to ensure sustainability, although revenue generation is not the primary objective. Secretary IT and Telecom emphasized that the goal is to operate the platform efficiently and reliably rather than profit from it, while making the system self sustaining over time.
During the meeting, the committee chairman praised NITB’s performance but raised concerns over the visibility of the Punjab Information Technology Board at the federal level despite NITB’s mandate. The Secretary IT and Telecom acknowledged that reports circulating last year about a possible shutdown of NITB had negatively impacted its performance but said the organization has now regained momentum.
He assured the committee that NITB’s performance would improve significantly moving forward as digital governance initiatives accelerate. Officials described the BEEP app as a critical step toward strengthening cybersecurity, protecting sensitive government communications, and reducing reliance on foreign messaging platforms.
The launch reflects a broader regional trend, as India has also introduced a WhatsApp parallel messaging platform for official government use, highlighting growing concerns over data sovereignty and secure digital communications across South Asia.
With encryption, agency certification, and planned integration into government systems, the BEEP app is positioned as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s evolving digital governance and cybersecurity strategy.
