A startling case of mass surveillance in Pakistan has been uncovered. On Tuesday, human rights organization Amnesty International released a report claiming Pakistan is keeping tabs on millions of citizens using phone-tapping systems and Chinese-supported internet firewalls. This setup is considered one of the largest examples of surveillance outside China.
The report states this network uses both Chinese and Western technologies to stifle freedom of expression and dissent. Political and media freedoms in Pakistan have historically been limited, but tensions escalated following military disagreements with former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022. This led to Khan's imprisonment and the detention of thousands of his party members.
According to Amnesty, Pakistan's intelligence agencies can monitor at least 4 million mobile phones simultaneously with the Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS). Simultaneously, an internet firewall, WMS 2.0, is capable of inspecting internet traffic and blocking over 2 million sessions at once.
How is Pakistan Conducting Citizen Surveillance?
The two systems work in tandem. LIMS oversees calls and messages, while WMS 2.0 can slow down or completely block websites and social media. Amnesty's technologist Jure van Bergen informed Reuters that orders have been given to connect all four major mobile companies to LIMS, hence the number of phones under surveillance could be even higher.
Validity of Amnesty's Claims?
The report indicates such mass surveillance creates a climate of fear, causing people to hesitate in exercising their rights. Amnesty's findings are based on a 2024 Islamabad High Court case filed by Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, after her private calls were leaked.
Pakistan Government Denies Phone-tapping
The defense ministry and intelligence agencies in Pakistan denied phone-tapping allegations in court, claiming they lack the capability. However, during inquiries, Pakistan's telecom regulator admitted it had ordered phone companies to implement LIMS. There has been no response from the ministries of technology, interior, information, or the telecom regulator regarding Amnesty's report.
