Pakistan has achieved a major milestone in national cybersecurity with the creation of its first locally made secure mobile phone, designed to prevent hacking, interceptions, and remote attacks.
Developed under a new proprietary operating system, the device comes in response to vulnerabilities exposed during the recent Indo-Pak war, when WhatsApp communications were reportedly intercepted, compromising sensitive information.
The mobile phone, built entirely with “Made in Pakistan” software and hardware, is primarily intended for government officials and key personnel.
According to National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) MD Major General (retd) Ali Farhan, the device ensures complete protection against digital intrusions and espionage, strengthening Pakistan’s cyber-defense capabilities.
A key feature of the phone is its lack of internet connectivity, deliberately designed to eliminate risks of hacking, backdoor access, remote attacks, and data breaches. While any SIM from Pakistani telecom operators can be used, the internal system remains sealed from external networks. All applications are exclusive to the secure ecosystem and do not support data backup, preventing any unauthorized data extraction.
The phone operates within a secure communication loop, allowing calls only between similar secure devices. This ensures that monitoring or intercepting calls is impossible, safeguarding classified government communication from hostile surveillance.
The initiative arose from lessons learned during the recent Indo-Pak war, when sensitive conversations over WhatsApp were intercepted. “Conversation was reaching the other side. We learned a lesson from it,” Major General Farhan noted, emphasizing the need for a locally controlled secure platform.
Under a pilot phase, 10 phones were successfully developed and tested, with reports submitted to higher authorities. Additional funding is being sought for mass production. Officials described the project as a significant step forward in national security, highlighting Pakistan’s ability to develop secure communication technologies domestically.
The primary objective of the project is to guarantee unmonitored communication among government leaders and senior officials, ensuring that sensitive discussions remain completely protected from domestic or international surveillance. The secure mobile phone marks a major achievement for Pakistani cybersecurity experts and the nation’s broader digital defense strategy.
