A push to protect high-level communications in Pakistan has resulted in a significant milestone: experts have built a secure mobile phone entirely inside the country. The device aims to shield sensitive conversations and limit cyber threats targeting government circles.
Officials say the new phone has been engineered for government leaders and senior state officers. Its software and hardware have been produced in Pakistan, marking a rare end-to-end development effort. The phone uses a new operating system and does not connect to the internet, although it supports SIM cards from every Pakistani telecom operator.
The National Telecommunication Corporation created the device under its pilot program. The secure phone carries no backup system and runs only custom applications built for protected communication. According to officials, calls cannot be intercepted or monitored. Moreover, it can only connect to another secure phone, which ensures controlled communication channels.
NTC Managing Director Ali Farhan recently shared a detailed progress report with top government officials. He confirmed that 10 devices were produced during the pilot phase. He also noted that additional funding will be needed to scale production.
Major General (R) Ali Farhan also addressed concerns about widely used messaging platforms. “WhatsApp communication is not secure,” he said. The NTC chief added, “Those who provide WhatsApp can listen to its communication.”
He further explained that the government wants full protection for officials and key state figures.
“We want to ensure that the communication of government officials and key state figures cannot be monitored,” he said.
He pointed to past events as proof of the threat. During the recent Pakistan-India conflict, WhatsApp traffic was exposed. He stated that conversations were intercepted and that the incident shaped the decision to push for local secure technology.
With the pilot devices now completed, officials see the made-in-Pakistan secure phone as a crucial step toward safer national communication.