ISLAMABAD: Amnesty International has exposed Pakistan’s extensive use of mass surveillance technologies against its citizens. The report, “Shadows of Control: Censorship and Mass Surveillance in Pakistan”, highlights alarming practices undermining privacy rights.
Citizens and Politicians Targeted
Pakistani authorities monitor over four million people through advanced digital surveillance tools. Journalists, activists, politicians, and ordinary citizens remain constant subjects of monitoring. The Armed Forces and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) use the Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS) for this task.
Telecom Operators Forced to Comply
Amnesty explained that all major telecom providers must connect their systems to LIMS. Consequently, millions of users face a constant risk of monitoring. Jurre van Berge, Amnesty’s technologist, said that actual surveillance figures could be much higher.
Telecoms Under Obligation
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority requires providers to keep up to two percent of their customer base under possible surveillance. Authorities can therefore track digital activity, intercept calls, and monitor text messages.
Advanced Surveillance Infrastructure
Alongside LIMS, a firewall called WMS 2.0 analyzes traffic and blocks up to two million sessions instantly. This infrastructure allows authorities to restrict websites, apps, and communication channels at scale.
Technology from Foreign Companies
German company Ultimaco supplies the LIMS system. It classifies internet and mobile traffic, stores communication data, and enables deep inspection. Pakistan has used this system since 2007, raising long-term concerns about unchecked surveillance.
Next Generation Monitoring
Authorities also rely on the Monitoring Centre Next Generation (McNG), a system created by Datafusion, formerly Trovicor. McNG processes information collected through LIMS, exposing call records, internet activity, VPN usage, and precise location details.
Lack of Safeguards Fuels Abuse
Amnesty criticized Pakistan for failing to implement strong legal and technical safeguards. The absence of protections enables unlawful monitoring without accountability.
High-Profile Legal Challenge
The surveillance system gained public attention through the case Bushra Imran Khan vs Federation of Pakistan. The Islamabad High Court received the case after audio leaks of politicians and public figures between 2022 and 2023. The petition sought clarity on whether such interceptions violated constitutional protections.
Broader Implications for Privacy
Amnesty concluded that Pakistan’s surveillance network threatens digital freedom, democratic accountability, and citizens’ trust. With unrestricted tools, authorities continue to tighten control over online and offline spaces.
