Amnesty: Pakistan Spying On Millions Via Phone Taps And Firewall

Amnesty International has accused Pakistan of deploying Chinese-made surveillance systems to monitor millions of citizens and censor online platforms, further shrinking space for dissent.

In a report quoted by Reuters on Tuesday, Amnesty said Pakistan's intelligence agencies can track at least four million smartphones simultaneously through the Lawful Interception Management System (LIMS). The watchdog warned that such mass surveillance has created“a climate of fear,” deterring people from exercising their rights both online and offline.

Amnesty's technologist Jurre van Bergen told Reuters that widespread monitoring“creates fear in society and discourages people from using their rights.” He added that Pakistan's expanding surveillance network is increasingly being used to stifle free speech and political opposition.

The rights group also noted that Pakistani authorities have blocked nearly 650,000 web links and imposed restrictions on major social media platforms including YouTube, Facebook, and X. These restrictions, it said, have been especially harsh in conflict-hit Balochistan, where some areas have suffered internet blackouts for years.

Amnesty warned that media freedoms and political rights are becoming more restricted across Pakistan, as surveillance and censorship continue to expand. Critics argue that these measures are part of a wider effort to silence dissenting voices.

The report has sparked renewed debate on Pakistan's commitment to protecting digital rights, with rights groups calling for transparency and limits on surveillance powers.

Amnesty urged the government to end blanket monitoring practices, restore access to restricted platforms, and safeguard fundamental freedoms guaranteed under national and international law.

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