Skip to main content
The Pakistani government has recently escalated its surveillance measures, intensifying efforts to monitor and track citizens’ online activities. Last month, Pakistani security agencies were authorized to openly intercept phone calls, monitor WhatsApp messages, and engage in other forms of digital surveillance. Additionally, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has completed trials on a new firewall aimed at controlling social media content.

While specific details about the software and technology being used remain unclear, it has been reported that Pakistan is acquiring surveillance technology from over 15 companies worldwide. These companies, hailing from countries such as the United States, China, and Israel, are supplying a range of spyware and tracking tools. Surveillance Watch, an organization that tracks global surveillance technologies and their users, has identified Pakistan as a notable recipient of these technologies.

READ MORE: Rupee Closes Week Strong with Gains Against US Dollar and Euro

Surveillance

“Study: Pakistan Uses Surveillance from 15 Companies, Including Israeli”

The Surveillance Watch website provides an interactive map illustrating the global network of surveillance companies and their clients. According to the site, Pakistan’s surveillance arsenal includes technologies from several prominent firms. Noteworthy among these is Q Cyber Technologies SARL from Israel, the parent company of the NSO Group, known for its sophisticated hacking tool, Pegasus. Other suppliers include Predator, Gamma Group, and I-Soon, providing various forms of surveillance technology such as facial recognition systems, smartphone spyware, video monitoring, voice-to-text transcription of intercepted phone calls, and deep packet inspection.

For more details, you can explore the Surveillance Watch website.