Punjab bans use of WhatsApp in government offices

Departments told to stop sharing official documents on messaging service to avoid data leak

LAHORE: Punjab government has banned the sharing of official documents through WhatsApp by government offices over concerns of confidential information being leaked to irrelevant persons.

The provincial authorities had received complaints that government departments were using WhatsApp to run their office matters and documents were being exchanged on the messaging service. Furthermore, WhatsApp groups were formed for this purpose and documents were reportedly being leaked.

The top officers took notice of this and all departments were instructed to stop working on the cross-platform messaging service as it might lead to a potential threat to government and its procedures.

WhatsApp defends encryption as it tops 2 billion users

Officials of the provincial government revealed that the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) issued the orders. With regard to the orders, the Punjab commissioner of Overseas Pakistanis Commission, the Punjab Government Servants Housing Foundation MD the Anti-Corruption DG and Punjab Procurement Regularity Authority MD have been sent a letter. Moreover, all section officers, law officers and state officers have also been informed about the orders. According to the orders, the ban will be implemented immediately.

The order of banning WhatsApp use by the provincial government has been taken in light of a decision taken in a meeting of the Cabinet Division on January 31. Reportedly, Punjab government officials are currently using WhatsApp at a large scale to handle official matters. It is due to this reason that all government departments are receiving reports that important files and official documents are being shared openly rather than with other officials and departments concerned.

The Punjab government also noted that official and confidential documents are being leaked. The use of WhatsApp was banned in the federal government but now steps are being taken to impose the decision in the government departments of the province.

According to the SOPs issued by the provincial government, the official files will be delivered to the department concerned following the customary practice.

Keeping in view the situation, the old procedure will be followed in government offices and SOPs will be followed accordingly.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2020.