Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology has secured approval to launch an indigenous secure mobile communication ecosystem aimed at shielding government communications from escalating cyber threats, officials said Tuesday.

The Rs708 million ($2.5 million) “Pak Awaaz” project, approved in principle by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP), will provide up to 10,000 encrypted mobile devices to government officials as part of a broader push toward digital sovereignty in state communications.

“The objective is to create an autonomous and secure mobile communication infrastructure that operates independently of public networks,” a senior IT Ministry official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) will spearhead implementation of the initiative, which envisions a dedicated private mobile network segregated from civilian telecommunications infrastructure.

End-to-End Encryption Planned

Under the proposed framework, government personnel will gain access to end-to-end encrypted voice and video calling capabilities, alongside a secure messaging platform designed specifically for official use. A proprietary app store will host government applications, including the widely-used e-office system, within a controlled software environment.

“All communication will be routed through NTC’s data centers, ensuring complete control over sensitive governmental exchanges,” the official added.

The move comes amid growing concerns over cybersecurity vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, with government networks increasingly targeted by sophisticated threat actors. Regional neighbors including India and China have deployed similar sovereign communication systems for officials handling classified information.

The project aligns with Pakistan’s broader National Cybersecurity Policy framework, which prioritizes indigenous solutions to reduce dependence on foreign technology platforms for critical state functions.

Implementation timelines and device specifications remain undisclosed pending final approval from the executive committee.