Pakistan adopts China’s surveillance model, Amnesty warns

Pakistan’s deepening reliance on Chinese surveillance technology has ushered in a new era of digital authoritarianism, raising profound concerns about civil liberties, national sovereignty, and geopolitical alignment. A recent report by Amnesty International has cast a stark light on the extent of this surveillance apparatus, describing it as one of the “most comprehensive examples of state surveillance outside China.”

The report alleges that Pakistan’s intelligence agencies are now capable of monitoring millions of citizens through a sophisticated phone-tapping system and a Chinese-built internet firewall that censors social media and inspects online traffic. This surveillance infrastructure, built with both Chinese and Western technology, is curbing dissent and accelerating a broader crackdown on free speech and political opposition.

The timing of Amnesty’s revelations is particularly significant. Pakistan has been grappling with shrinking political and media freedoms since the military establishment distanced itself from former Prime Minister Imran Khan, culminating in his imprisonment. The report draws on a 2024 legal case filed by Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, after her private phone calls were leaked online, an incident emblematic of the broader erosion of privacy in the country.

At the heart of Pakistan’s surveillance regime are two key systems: the Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS) and the Web Monitoring System 2.0 (WMS). LIMS enables the interception of phone calls and text messages, while WMS inspects and filters internet traffic, capable of blocking up to two million active sessions simultaneously. These systems operate in tandem, allowing authorities to tap communications and restrict access to websites and social media platforms. Amnesty technologist Jurre van Berge noted that the actual number of mobile phones under surveillance could be far higher, as all major telecom operators have reportedly been ordered to integrate with LIMS.

This technological crackdown is not limited to passive monitoring. In July 2024, Pakistan moved to ban over two dozen YouTube channels, many of which belonged to journalists and government critics. The government also introduced amendments to the Electronic Crimes Act and established a new social media regulatory authority with investigative powers and tribunals. These developments coincided with the blocking of over 650,000 web links and persistent internet blackouts in regions like Balochistan, where digital access has been severely curtailed for years.

The roots of this surveillance expansion lie in China’s global push to export its model of digital control. Under President Xi Jinping, China has vastly expanded its domestic surveillance capabilities, fostering a new generation of companies that produce advanced monitoring technologies at increasingly affordable prices. Through initiatives like the Digital Silk Road, these technologies are being disseminated across the globe, often to regimes with authoritarian tendencies. According to a Freedom House, 18 countries, including Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Uzbekistan, and Kenya, have adopted Chinese-made intelligent monitoring systems, while 36 have received training in “public opinion guidance,” a euphemism for censorship.

Pakistan’s adoption of Chinese surveillance tools exemplifies how technology designed for China’s political system is being repurposed abroad. In November 2024, Al Jazeera reported that Pakistan had deployed a new national internet firewall sourced from China, aimed at enhancing the government’s ability to monitor and regulate online activity. The firewall, which cost between 20 to 30 billion rupees ($72m to $107m), was tested in mid-July, causing widespread disruptions to internet services, particularly affecting WhatsApp’s multimedia functions. The system is capable of blocking VPNs and enabling real-time content filtering, tools that significantly bolster the state’s ability to control digital discourse.

While Pakistan’s internet infrastructure includes components from countries like France, Finland, and the United States, the increasing dominance of Chinese technology raises serious concerns about digital sovereignty. The live testing of the firewall, necessitated by the diverse nature of Pakistan’s network equipment, underscores the challenges of integrating foreign surveillance systems into national infrastructure. More troubling, however, is the strategic imbalance in the Sino-Pakistani alliance. Although China professes adherence to principles like mutual benefit and non-interference, its dealings with Pakistan suggest a power dynamic skewed heavily in Beijing’s favor.

Chinese companies such as Huawei, Dahua, and Hikvision, some of which are partially state-owned, have played a pivotal role in digitizing Pakistan’s infrastructure. Huawei’s investments have propelled Pakistan to the forefront of 5G and AI adoption, promising economic growth and technological advancement. Yet, this dependence on Chinese technology exposes Pakistan to risks including data breaches, cyber-attacks, and pervasive surveillance. 

Furthermore it has triggered diplomatic unease among Western powers, with the United States raising repeated concerns over the presence of Chinese technology in the country’s critical infrastructure.  The growing entrenchment of Chinese systems in Pakistan’s digital landscape also prompts a deeper concern - whether this technological presence serves as a conduit for broader surveillance ambitions, subtly embedding external influence under the guise of development.

As Islamabad deepens its reliance on Beijing, it risks alienating traditional allies and becoming ensnared in China’s broader strategy of digital authoritarianism. Surveillance technology exports serve as instruments of influence, actively shaping governance structures and restricting democratic freedoms within the countries that adopt them.

While Chinese investment offers undeniable developmental opportunities, it must be balanced against the imperatives of security, sovereignty, and democratic integrity. Pakistan’s embrace of Chinese surveillance technology reflects a troubling convergence of authoritarian governance and digital control. For Pakistan’s people the need for transparency, accountability, and strategic foresight has never been more urgent.