Islamabad, Jan 17 (NationPress) The surveillance apparatus in Pakistan has undergone a significant transformation over the past twenty years, evolving from a collection of disjointed collaborations into a comprehensive, state-controlled censorship and monitoring framework. This system encompasses metadata collection, device infiltration, Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) filtering, and nationwide internet governance, according to a report released on Saturday.

The report further highlights that since 2024, structural, legal, and policy modifications have drastically changed the online landscape in Pakistan.

“The trajectory of surveillance in Pakistan has marked a consistent escalation from initial mass monitoring to a sophisticated, multi-tiered digital control framework. A 2013 analysis by Citizen Lab uncovered the existence of command-and-control servers for FinFisher, a commercial malware designed for network intrusion that could intercept communications, access confidential data, and record audio and visual content from computers or mobile devices within Pakistan. This server operated on a network owned by the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), which is now a privatized entity with 62 percent government ownership,” the European Times reported.

The report also noted that in 2024, Pakistan unveiled a national internet 'firewall' utilizing Chinese technology to enhance the government’s web surveillance capabilities and control over prominent platforms, allowing for selective blocking of functionalities on applications or websites. The system was implemented at critical internet gateways and data centers of mobile carriers and major internet service providers, leading to numerous complaints regarding poor internet connectivity.

“Just months following the controversial February 2024 general elections, all telecom operators were compelled by the regulatory body to establish the Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS), granting intelligence agencies immediate access to citizens’ call records, personal messages, browsing histories, and more. The LIMS represents yet another surveillance tool leveraged by the Pakistani government, capable of extracting unencrypted consumer data, intercepting calls, and reading text messages,” the report elaborated.

“The Audio Leaks Case presented before the Islamabad High Court revealed the extent to which the state has engaged in mass, warrantless surveillance through LIMS. Witness statements indicated that agencies could tap into telecom networks with a single click, utilizing SIM, IMEI, or phone numbers to automatically retrieve SMS records, call data, metadata, and even complete content streams, including audio, video, and search histories into central monitoring facilities,” it further noted.

In its most recent assessment, global democracy watchdog Freedom House ranked Pakistan 27th out of 100, categorizing it as 'Not Free' concerning internet freedom, attributing this to governmental efforts aimed at expanding censorship practices.