On September 9, Amnesty International released a report, “Shadows of Control”. highlighting the extensive surveillance capabilities of the Pakistani government, revealing the use of advanced monitoring technologies that can access citizens’ private communications. The report uncovers a system that allows authorities to monitor emails, phone calls, and internet history, supported by technology from Chinese, European, Emirati, and North American firms. This system, according to Amnesty, could potentially surveil more than 4 million users and block access to certain online content.
The investigation, conducted in collaboration with multiple organizations, disclosed that Pakistan’s surveillance infrastructure includes the Web Monitoring System (WMS) 2.0 and the Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS). These tools, funded and enabled by foreign technology, allow the government to conduct deep packet inspection and block Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), thereby restricting freedom of expression and access to information. The WMS 2.0 system, likened to China’s Great Firewall, can block up to 2 million active internet sessions simultaneously, while the LIMS enables phone tapping and monitoring of mobile communications.
The report also highlights the legal and technical gaps in the deployment of these surveillance systems, which are deployed across all telecom providers in Pakistan. It noted the involvement of companies such as Canada’s Sandvine (now AppLogic Network), China’s Geedge Networks, and Germany’s Utimaco in supplying the necessary technology. The Pakistani authorities, when questioned in court, denied having the capacity for phone tapping, though telecom regulators admitted to ordering the installation of LIMS for designated agencies.
Amnesty’s findings draw on a 2024 Islamabad High Court case filed by Bushra Bibi, the wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, following the leak of her private calls. The report further reveals that Pakistan has been blocking around 650,000 web links and restricting platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and X. These restrictions have particularly affected regions like Balochistan, where internet blackouts have been reported amidst allegations of human rights abuses.
The report underscores the role of foreign companies in establishing this surveillance network. Equipment from US-based Niagara Networks, software from France’s Thales, and servers from a Chinese IT firm have been integral to the system’s development. Niagara and Datafusion, an Emirati company involved in the deployment, stated that their products comply with export regulations and are sold to law enforcement agencies, respectively.
Amnesty International warns that this extensive surveillance network poses significant risks to privacy and freedom of expression in Pakistan, creating a chilling effect on society and deterring individuals from exercising their rights both online and offline.
