The Pakistani government is monitoring its citizens by tapping their phone calls

The Chronify

September 10, 2025

The Pakistani government is surveilling millions of its citizens, using phone tapping technology as a key tool. In addition, Chinese-made technologies are being used to control social media. This represents one of the largest examples of mass surveillance of civilians outside of China.

This was revealed in a report by the international human rights organization Amnesty International, published (Tuesday). According to the report, Pakistan’s surveillance network is expanding rapidly, relying on both Western and Chinese technologies. These tools are being used as weapons to suppress dissent and freedom of expression.

In recent years, restrictions on political and press freedoms in Pakistan have tightened significantly. This trend escalated particularly after the 2022 conflict between then-Prime Minister Imran Khan and the military. That same year, Khan was ousted through a no-confidence vote and later imprisoned. Many leaders and activists from his party have also been detained.

According to Amnesty International’s report, Pakistan's intelligence agencies are capable of monitoring at least four million mobile phones simultaneously using a system known as the Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS). Additionally, Chinese-made technology known as WMS 2.0, a type of firewall, can be used to block more than two million active internet users at once.

These two technologies can be used in combination. While LIMS enables intelligence agencies to intercept and monitor phone calls, WMS 2.0 can be deployed simultaneously to slow down or block websites and social media platforms across the country. Pakistan's four major mobile network operators have reportedly been instructed to integrate with the LIMS system.

In 2024, Bushra Bibi, the wife of Imran Khan, filed a case in the Islamabad High Court after a private phone call of hers was leaked online. Amnesty’s report stems from that legal case. In court, Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence and intelligence agencies denied the allegations of phone surveillance, also claiming they did not possess such technology.

Amnesty International approached Pakistan’s Ministry of IT, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Information, and the country's telecommunications regulator for comment on the findings. However, none of them were willing to respond.