Pakistan Deploys Mass Phone Surveillance and Chinese Firewall to Silence Dissent

Pakistan’s government is conducting mass surveillance on its citizens. A new report from Amnesty International reveals a vast digital monitoring operation. It involves tapping millions of phones and censoring internet access.

The system uses sophisticated Chinese-built technology. This effort significantly curtails freedom of expression and privacy. Officials have denied the scale of these capabilities.

Scale of Surveillance and Censorship Detailed

Amnesty’s report states intelligence agencies can monitor at least four million phones simultaneously. They use a system called the Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS). All major mobile operators were ordered to connect to it.

Internet activity is filtered through a powerful Chinese firewall. The system is known as Web Monitoring System 2.0 (WMS 2.0). It can block or slow access to websites and social media platforms across the country.

According to Reuters, the number of tapped phones could be even higher. Amnesty technologist Jurre van Berge confirmed this detail. The report also found over 650,000 web links are actively blocked.

Foreign Technology Powers the Crackdown

The surveillance infrastructure relies on international technology. The core firewall was traced to Geedge Networks, a Chinese company. This firm has direct ties to Beijing’s state-run enterprises.

It is not solely Chinese technology. The system incorporates hardware and software from Western nations. This includes components from U.S.-based Niagara Networks and a unit of France’s Thales.

This global collaboration makes the system highly effective. It allows for comprehensive monitoring and control of digital communications. The findings highlight a growing trend of digital authoritarianism.

Political Context and Legal Challenges

This digital crackdown coincides with a period of intense political unrest. Freedoms have tightened since the military’s 2022 break with former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan was later jailed, and thousands of his supporters were detained.

The operations were partly revealed through a court case. Bushra Bibi, the wife of Imran Khan, filed a case after her private calls were leaked. This legal action forced some transparency from telecom regulators.

Pakistan’s defence ministries denied having such vast monitoring capacity. However, the country’s telecom regulator admitted under court questioning that mobile operators were ordered to install LIMS for designated agencies.

The implementation of these systems represents a severe escalation in state control. It poses a fundamental threat to human rights and democracy in Pakistan. This mass surveillance strategy effectively silences dissent on an unprecedented scale.

Info at your fingertips

How many phones are under surveillance in Pakistan?

Amnesty International reports that Pakistani agencies can monitor at least four million mobile phones at any time. The actual number may be higher as all telecom providers are connected to the system.

What role does China play in this surveillance?

The key internet filtering is done by a Chinese-built firewall called Web Monitoring System 2.0. It was traced to Geedge Networks, a company with ties to Beijing’s state-run firms.

Which social media platforms are being blocked?

The Pakistani government is actively blocking access to over 650,000 web links. This includes major platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).

Why was this surveillance system implemented?

Experts link the escalation in digital monitoring to recent political turmoil. It intensified after the military’s fallout with former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022.

Has the Pakistani government admitted to this?

Defence ministries have denied the capacity for mass surveillance. However, the telecom regulator admitted in court that operators were ordered to install the monitoring system for agencies.

What is the impact on ordinary citizens?

Mass surveillance creates a chilling effect that deters people from exercising their rights. It severely limits freedom of expression and privacy both online and offline.

Trusted Sources

Amnesty International, Reuters