ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan has set to launch its own alternative to the popular instant messaging application, WhatsApp.
The South Asian country has already tested the application Beep Pakistan, the country’s first messaging application.
Developed by Pakistan’s IT ministry and National Information Technology Board (NITB), the government will roll out the application for all government employees in the next 45 days, claim officials. In the second phase, the application will be launched for the public.
The Pakistan’s government started working on the app in 2020.
The app supports audio and video calls, messaging, conference calls for up to 200 participants, and document sharing, according to officials.
Pakistan’s former information technology (IT) minister Amin ul Haque said that, unlike WhatsApp, Beep Pakistan’s servers will be based in Pakistan, ensuring enhanced data security. He added, “Just as China has WeChat and the US has WhatsApp, Pakistan now has its own app.”
Baber Majeed Bhatti, CEO of the National Information Technology Board (NITB), confirmed that the app has been tested and deployed within the Ministry of IT. He claimed that Beep Pakistan offers more features than WhatsApp, stating, “WhatsApp is just a messaging app. Beep Pakistan aims to provide the government with a unified and secure communication platform.”
However, Bhatti declined to disclose the app’s development costs or the name of the Pakistani company behind it. He mentioned that Beep Pakistan would be rolled out gradually and indicated that it could be made available to the public as soon as government approval is secured.
Regarding the potential for WhatsApp to be banned following Beep Pakistan’s public launch, Bhatti noted that such decisions are beyond his purview. Haque expressed that while he supports Beep Pakistan, he does not advocate for banning other social media platforms. “We want Beep Pakistan to be used in Pakistan, but those who prefer WhatsApp should be free to continue using it,” he said.
The announcement of Beep Pakistan coincides with reported disruptions to WhatsApp in Pakistan, particularly affecting media file transfers. Digital rights activists speculate that these disruptions may be linked to the country’s testing of an online firewall aimed at restricting free speech and curbing dissent.
