Pakistan’s Surveillance State Details
1/12 New investigation reveals Pakistan operates one of the world’s most comprehensive surveillance systems outside China, monitoring millions of citizens using imported technology from Germany, France, UAE, China, Canada, and the US.
The system consists of two interconnected surveillance networks that work in tandem: LIMS monitors 4+ million phones simultaneously while WMS 2.0 blocks 2 million internet sessions at once. Both systems allow intelligence agencies to spy on citizens with virtually no oversight or transparency, creating what experts call a “digital panopticon.”
1/12 New investigation reveals Pakistan operates one of the world’s most comprehensive surveillance systems outside China, monitoring millions of citizens using imported technology from Germany, France, UAE, China, Canada, and the US.
The system consists of two interconnected surveillance networks that work in tandem: LIMS monitors 4+ million phones simultaneously while WMS 2.0 blocks 2 million internet sessions at once. Both systems allow intelligence agencies to spy on citizens with virtually no oversight or transparency, creating what experts call a “digital panopticon.”
2/12 Pakistan’s surveillance operates through two core systems built with foreign technology:
PHONE TAPPING: Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS) uses German Utimaco technology deployed through UAE-based Datafusion monitoring centers. ISI officers simply enter a phone number to access real-time calls, text messages, location data, and web browsing history.
INTERNET FIREWALL: Web Monitoring System 2.0 uses Chinese Geedge Networks technology - a commercialized version of China’s Great Firewall. Components include US Niagara Networks hardware and French Thales software with deep packet inspection capabilities that can monitor, throttle, or completely block internet traffic.
PHONE TAPPING: Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS) uses German Utimaco technology deployed through UAE-based Datafusion monitoring centers. ISI officers simply enter a phone number to access real-time calls, text messages, location data, and web browsing history.
INTERNET FIREWALL: Web Monitoring System 2.0 uses Chinese Geedge Networks technology - a commercialized version of China’s Great Firewall. Components include US Niagara Networks hardware and French Thales software with deep packet inspection capabilities that can monitor, throttle, or completely block internet traffic.
3/12 The system evolved through strategic international partnerships:
2018: Pakistan signed $18.5 million contract with Canadian firm Sandvine for original firewall, with Inbox Business Technologies Ltd serving as local partner for “procurement of hardware, software and provision of related services.”
2024: Sandvine sanctioned by US and exits Pakistan market after human rights violations
2023-2025: Chinese Geedge Networks, founded by Great Firewall architect Fang Binxing, replaces Sandvine with advanced system. The company exports surveillance tech to Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, and Pakistan as part of China’s “Digital Silk Road” initiative.
2018: Pakistan signed $18.5 million contract with Canadian firm Sandvine for original firewall, with Inbox Business Technologies Ltd serving as local partner for “procurement of hardware, software and provision of related services.”
2024: Sandvine sanctioned by US and exits Pakistan market after human rights violations
2023-2025: Chinese Geedge Networks, founded by Great Firewall architect Fang Binxing, replaces Sandvine with advanced system. The company exports surveillance tech to Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, and Pakistan as part of China’s “Digital Silk Road” initiative.
4/12 Pakistan’s surveillance spending during severe economic crisis:
- $18.5M to Sandvine (2018) for web monitoring system using Deep Packet Inspection
- Undisclosed amounts to Israeli phone hacking technology (since 2012)
- Multiple contracts with international suppliers across different agencies
- Telecom operators forced to finance surveillance infrastructure and share monitoring costs
This massive investment comes while Pakistan struggles with economic collapse, 87% of NADRA’s Rs 57 billion budget goes to salaries, and citizens face severe financial hardship. The government prioritizes surveillance over basic services.
- $18.5M to Sandvine (2018) for web monitoring system using Deep Packet Inspection
- Undisclosed amounts to Israeli phone hacking technology (since 2012)
- Multiple contracts with international suppliers across different agencies
- Telecom operators forced to finance surveillance infrastructure and share monitoring costs
This massive investment comes while Pakistan struggles with economic collapse, 87% of NADRA’s Rs 57 billion budget goes to salaries, and citizens face severe financial hardship. The government prioritizes surveillance over basic services.
5/12 Pakistan’s surveillance apparatus faces constant security failures:
2019-2023 NADRA BREACH: 2.7 million citizens’ data stolen from National Database and Registration Authority. Personal info including names, addresses, identity details routed through Multan → Peshawar → Dubai → sold in Argentina and Romania. Grade 19 officer and 5 employees terminated, data available on dark web.
SEPTEMBER 2025 CRISIS: ALL SIM holder data, including Interior Minister’s, reportedly sold on Google. Mobile location data sells for Rs 500, mobile records Rs 2,000, foreign travel details Rs 5,000. Special investigation team formed with 14-day deadline.
2019-2023 NADRA BREACH: 2.7 million citizens’ data stolen from National Database and Registration Authority. Personal info including names, addresses, identity details routed through Multan → Peshawar → Dubai → sold in Argentina and Romania. Grade 19 officer and 5 employees terminated, data available on dark web.
SEPTEMBER 2025 CRISIS: ALL SIM holder data, including Interior Minister’s, reportedly sold on Google. Mobile location data sells for Rs 500, mobile records Rs 2,000, foreign travel details Rs 5,000. Special investigation team formed with 14-day deadline.
6/12 The surveillance system’s technical reach:
MONITORING: Can intercept encrypted app metadata, block specific app features (WhatsApp calls disabled while messaging remains), detect and disable VPNs, throttle internet speeds, implement nationwide shutdowns.
CENSORSHIP: Currently blocking 650,000 web links, major platforms YouTube and Facebook restricted, X banned Feb 2024-May 2025 (15 months), 930,000+ pornographic sites blocked, 30,000+ “anti-state” content sites censored.
The system processes 98% of Pakistan’s internet traffic through Pakistan Internet Exchange (PIE), creating a centralized chokepoint for monitoring all digital communications.
MONITORING: Can intercept encrypted app metadata, block specific app features (WhatsApp calls disabled while messaging remains), detect and disable VPNs, throttle internet speeds, implement nationwide shutdowns.
CENSORSHIP: Currently blocking 650,000 web links, major platforms YouTube and Facebook restricted, X banned Feb 2024-May 2025 (15 months), 930,000+ pornographic sites blocked, 30,000+ “anti-state” content sites censored.
The system processes 98% of Pakistan’s internet traffic through Pakistan Internet Exchange (PIE), creating a centralized chokepoint for monitoring all digital communications.
7/12 Pakistan’s legal system offers no protection against mass surveillance:
LEGAL GAPS: Fair Trial Act warrant requirements routinely ignored, Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act lacks safeguards, no independent oversight mechanisms, contradictory government statements about capabilities.
LEGAL GAPS: Fair Trial Act warrant requirements routinely ignored, Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act lacks safeguards, no independent oversight mechanisms, contradictory government statements about capabilities.
8/12 Primary targets include journalists, political opposition (especially PTI), civil society activists, human rights defenders, Supreme Court judges, and military officials.
DOCUMENTED TESTIMONY: Journalist forced into self-censorship after corruption story: “After publishing, anyone I contacted was questioned by authorities. Now I go months without speaking to my family for fear they’ll be targeted.”
JUDICIAL INTIMIDATION: ISI documented abducting judge’s brother-in-law, administering electric shocks, torturing into making false allegations on camera. Secret video surveillance installed in judges’ bedrooms to influence court decisions.
The system creates climate of fear and self-censorship across Pakistani society.
DOCUMENTED TESTIMONY: Journalist forced into self-censorship after corruption story: “After publishing, anyone I contacted was questioned by authorities. Now I go months without speaking to my family for fear they’ll be targeted.”
JUDICIAL INTIMIDATION: ISI documented abducting judge’s brother-in-law, administering electric shocks, torturing into making false allegations on camera. Secret video surveillance installed in judges’ bedrooms to influence court decisions.
The system creates climate of fear and self-censorship across Pakistani society.
9/12 November 2024: Pakistan’s Council of Islamic Ideology declares VPN use “against Shariah law,” providing religious justification for digital control.
MANDATORY REGISTRATION: Government requires VPN users to register with national ID numbers, IP addresses, ISP subscriber details, enabling complete tracking of online activities.
TECHNICAL BLOCKING: Government experiments with VPN detection and blocking using Chinese firewall technology. Interior Ministry claims “VPNs are increasingly being exploited by terrorists” while real purpose is controlling political dissent.
Users forced to choose between accessing blocked content and remaining anonymous online.
MANDATORY REGISTRATION: Government requires VPN users to register with national ID numbers, IP addresses, ISP subscriber details, enabling complete tracking of online activities.
TECHNICAL BLOCKING: Government experiments with VPN detection and blocking using Chinese firewall technology. Interior Ministry claims “VPNs are increasingly being exploited by terrorists” while real purpose is controlling political dissent.
Users forced to choose between accessing blocked content and remaining anonymous online.
10/12 Investigation contacted 20 companies involved in surveillance tech supply chain:
CORPORATE RESPONSES: Only 2 provided substantive responses. Utimaco (Germany) and Datafusion (UAE) gave limited initial responses only. Niagara Networks (US) claims export compliance. Geedge Networks (China) and Thales (France) no response.
GOVERNMENT SILENCE: Pakistani government refused all communication. German and Canadian export control agencies acknowledged letters but didn’t answer questions about surveillance technology transfers.
EXPORT CONTROL FAILURES: No binding international regulations on surveillance tech exports. Countries failing to implement adequate controls. Corporate actors operating across jurisdictions without oversight, creating “economy of oppression.”
CORPORATE RESPONSES: Only 2 provided substantive responses. Utimaco (Germany) and Datafusion (UAE) gave limited initial responses only. Niagara Networks (US) claims export compliance. Geedge Networks (China) and Thales (France) no response.
GOVERNMENT SILENCE: Pakistani government refused all communication. German and Canadian export control agencies acknowledged letters but didn’t answer questions about surveillance technology transfers.
EXPORT CONTROL FAILURES: No binding international regulations on surveillance tech exports. Countries failing to implement adequate controls. Corporate actors operating across jurisdictions without oversight, creating “economy of oppression.”
11/12 Lesser-known technical details reveal system’s sophistication:
INTERNET CHOKEPOINTS: 98% of traffic flows through Pakistan Internet Exchange (PIE) with 3 main nodes (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad) using Cisco Core Routers. All submarine cables terminate at government-controlled facilities.
COMMERCIAL SPYWARE: Hacking Team provided Remote Control System (RCS/Galileo) since 2011 through Defence Solutions & Systems Ltd, enabling backdoor installation and undetectable monitoring.
SANDVINE SPECS: System included Policy Traffic Switch (PTS) for real-time enforcement, Policy Broker (SPB) for subscriber management, Service Delivery Engine (SDE) for control, Sand Script programming language for surveillance rules.
These technical chokepoints allow comprehensive monitoring most citizens don’t understand.
INTERNET CHOKEPOINTS: 98% of traffic flows through Pakistan Internet Exchange (PIE) with 3 main nodes (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad) using Cisco Core Routers. All submarine cables terminate at government-controlled facilities.
COMMERCIAL SPYWARE: Hacking Team provided Remote Control System (RCS/Galileo) since 2011 through Defence Solutions & Systems Ltd, enabling backdoor installation and undetectable monitoring.
SANDVINE SPECS: System included Policy Traffic Switch (PTS) for real-time enforcement, Policy Broker (SPB) for subscriber management, Service Delivery Engine (SDE) for control, Sand Script programming language for surveillance rules.
These technical chokepoints allow comprehensive monitoring most citizens don’t understand.
12/12 Pakistan’s surveillance model represents convergence of corporate interests and authoritarian governance, enabled by failed international regulations.
EXPERT ANALYSIS: Ben Wagner (IT:U Austria): “Having both mass phone interception and nationwide internet filtering is extremely rare and deeply troubling from a human rights perspective.”
FUTURE EXPANSION: Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025 will create unified digital identity, centralize social/economic/governance data, increase surveillance scope.
GLOBAL THREAT: Pakistan’s digital panopticon provides blueprint for systematic suppression of democratic expression. As surveillance technology becomes more accessible, this model threatens to spread globally.
Pakistan ranked 152/180 in World Press Freedom Index 2024, with increased arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances of journalists.
The international community’s failure to regulate surveillance tech exports enables digital authoritarianism worldwide.
EXPERT ANALYSIS: Ben Wagner (IT:U Austria): “Having both mass phone interception and nationwide internet filtering is extremely rare and deeply troubling from a human rights perspective.”
FUTURE EXPANSION: Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025 will create unified digital identity, centralize social/economic/governance data, increase surveillance scope.
GLOBAL THREAT: Pakistan’s digital panopticon provides blueprint for systematic suppression of democratic expression. As surveillance technology becomes more accessible, this model threatens to spread globally.
Pakistan ranked 152/180 in World Press Freedom Index 2024, with increased arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances of journalists.
The international community’s failure to regulate surveillance tech exports enables digital authoritarianism worldwide.
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