A new messaging application developed as a local alternative to WhatsApp is set to be launched for government employees and eventually the public, according to official sources.
Last August, then-Federal Minister for Information Technology Aminul Haq introduced “Beep Pakistan,” presented as Pakistan’s local alternative to WhatsApp.
During the launch event, Aminul Haq announced, “Today is a significant day for Pakistan’s IT industry as we introduce our country’s first communication application, Beep Pakistan.”
Nearly a year later, Aminul Haq, now the Chairman of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications, informed Geo Fact Check that the IT Ministry and its affiliated departments are already using Beep Pakistan for internal communication.
The app supports audio and video messaging, conference calls, and document sharing.
Haq mentioned that the app is currently in testing within the IT Ministry and its departments, and it will be made available to government employees within 45 days. Afterward, the situation will be assessed before releasing it to the general public.
He stressed that, unlike WhatsApp, Beep Pakistan’s servers will be located in Pakistan. “We launched Beep because its server data center is in Pakistan, making it 100% safe and secure. Just like China uses WeChat and the US uses WhatsApp, we have developed Beep as a Made-in-Pakistan application,” he said.
Current Minister of State for Information Technology did not respond to Geo Fact Check’s request for comments.
National Information Technology Board (NITB) CEO Babar Majeed Bhatti confirmed that his department has started testing and using the app within the IT Ministry to resolve any issues.
Bhatti claimed, “This is far richer than WhatsApp. WhatsApp is just a messaging application. It’s not meant to compete directly; its primary purpose is to provide Pakistan with a secure and unified platform.”
However, Bhatti declined to disclose which Pakistani company developed the app and its cost, stating, “The details about the company and cost are confidential and I cannot share them.”
He noted that Beep Pakistan will be introduced “gradually,” with a long-term vision to eventually open it to citizens. “If the government and departments agree, I am ready to launch it within the next 15 minutes,” he said.
When asked if WhatsApp would be banned once Beep Pakistan is available to the public, Bhatti said that banning WhatsApp is not within his jurisdiction.
Aminul Haq also stated that he is not in favor of banning any social media applications. He said, “While Beep is safe and secure, our goal is for it to be used in Pakistan alongside WhatsApp for those who prefer it.”
The news of a WhatsApp alternative comes as Pakistani users face disruptions, particularly in sending and receiving media files. Digital rights activists suspect these disruptions may be due to the installation of an online firewall to restrict free speech and dissent in the country.
Meanwhile, journalist and digital rights activist Rimsha Jahangir criticized the government’s approach to launching a communication application, calling it “short-sighted.”
She stated that “there are no proper data protection and privacy safeguards in place, and this will expose government officials and the public to further security risks.
Additionally, running local apps requires significant investment and technical support, as seen with Koo in India and similar cases in Africa.”
She added that these applications are being launched at a time when the Pakistani government is pressuring international firms for data localization, and there is a lack of transparency regarding the country’s internet infrastructure.
This reflects the country’s short-sighted approach towards achieving a digital Pakistan.