BREAKING NEWS (Pakistan Spying Citizens through Phone Tapping Firewall—Sep-10-2025):
Amnesty International’s latest findings reveal a vast state surveillance system in operation—Pakistan spying citizens on an unprecedented scale. According to the human rights watchdog, government authorities are exploiting both sophisticated phone-tapping arrangements and a Chinese-built internet firewall to monitor vast swaths of the population in one of the most comprehensive surveillance structures outside of China Reuters Geo News.
The network employs two powerful tools. The Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS) enables intelligence agencies to tap into at least four million mobile phones simultaneously, while the Web Monitoring System (WMS 2.0) firewall can surveil and block around two million active internet sessions at once Reuters Geo News. These systems work in tandem—allowing agents to intercept calls and messages via LIMS, while WMS 2.0 filters web traffic and social media access Reuters Geo News.
The scope of this monitoring could expand further. All four major mobile network operators in Pakistan have reportedly been directed to integrate the surveillance systems into their infrastructure Reuters The Times of India. The report warns such pervasive Pakistan spying citizens practices create a “chilling effect,” deterring people from freely exercising their rights—both online and offline Reuters The Times of India.
Amnesty builds on legal proceedings, including a 2024 Islamabad High Court petition filed by Bushra Bibi, raising serious concerns about the legality and transparency of such monitoring. While state agencies initially denied the existence of surveillance capabilities, telecom regulators confirmed deployment of LIMS in court Reuters Geo News.
The firewall—WMS 2.0—is supplied by China’s Geedge Networks and bolstered by hardware and software from U.S.-based Niagara Networks, French firm Thales, and a Canadian predecessor, Sandvine Amnesty International Reuters. LIMS, meanwhile, was built using technology from Germany’s Utimaco and is operated via centres managed by UAE-based Datafusion Amnesty International Reuters.
Rights experts warn that combining these dual tools—phone tapping and internet filtering—marks a troubling escalation in state authority over private communication in Pakistan. This vast system risks further suppressing free expression and reinforcing state control, disproportionately impacting dissenting voices and marginalized communities Amnesty International Reuters.
Summary:
- Amnesty International revealed large-scale Pakistan spying citizens through advanced surveillance systems.
- Authorities use Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS) to tap up to 4 million mobile phones at once.
- A Chinese-built firewall, Web Monitoring System (WMS 2.0), monitors and censors nearly 2 million internet sessions.
- All major telecom operators have been directed to integrate these systems.
- The surveillance raises concerns about privacy, free speech, and suppression of dissent.
- Companies from China, Europe, UAE, and North America supply the technology.
- Court petitions, including Bushra Bibi’s 2024 case, confirmed LIMS deployment despite initial denials.
- Amnesty warns that such Pakistan spying citizens practices create a “chilling effect” on society.
For more updates, do check out digi news
