ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has decided to launch the Pak Awaaz Secure Mobile Communication Ecosystem project. The initiative aims to provide a sovereign and cyber-secure Mobile Network for government officials across Pakistan.
According to ministry officials, the project is designed to strengthen the security of official communications. It seeks to reduce cyber risks by creating a dedicated communication environment that remains separate from public networks.
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has granted in-principle approval to the project under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). Officials said the project carries an estimated cost of Rs708 million.
As part of the initiative, around 10,000 secure mobile devices will be provided to government officers. These devices will be manufactured in Pakistan and equipped with advanced security features.
The smartphones will include a hardware root of trust and an indigenously developed hardened operating system. Officials believe these features will improve protection against cyberattacks, unauthorized access, and digital security threats.
The project will be implemented by the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC). The organization will establish a private Mobile Network using the country’s existing cellular infrastructure.
Unlike regular telecom services, the new network will remain isolated from the public mobile network. This separation is intended to improve the security of official government communications.
The secure system will use centralized multi-factor authentication to verify users. Authentication will be based on three factors, including the user, the SIM card, and the mobile device. This process will help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive government information.
The Pak Awaaz project also includes a dedicated communication platform. It will support end-to-end encrypted voice calls, video calls, instant messaging, and secure file sharing.
Officials said the platform will include dedicated application management tools and administrative systems. A Network Operations Center (NOC) will monitor and manage the secure communication environment.
The complete secure communication infrastructure will be hosted at the NTC Data Centre. This centralized setup is expected to improve reliability and strengthen the protection of government data.
The project will also introduce a sovereign software ecosystem for government users. This environment will include a private app store, a secure chat application, controlled directory services, and a secure method for delivering official applications.
Several government digital platforms, including the e-Office system, will operate through the secure Mobile Network. Officials said this integration will support protected digital workflows while improving communication between government departments.
In other news read more about Punjab Announces New Per Day Wages for Daily Wage Workers
The Ministry of Information Technology believes the initiative will play an important role in strengthening Pakistan’s cybersecurity framework. By introducing a dedicated Mobile Network for official use, the government aims to improve data protection, reduce cyber risks, and ensure safer digital communication for public sector institutions.
