Bangladesh and Pakistan are strengthening their defense cooperation and exploring collaborative efforts on mobile phone surveillance and social media monitoring. This development was highlighted during Brigadier General Azmat Shabbir’s visit to Dhaka, where he met with senior officials from Bangladesh’s Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC). Arriving in Dhaka on May 25 after a brief stop in Dubai, Brig Gen Shabbir proposed joint training initiatives and the sharing of expertise in mobile phone interception and cybersecurity.
The talks are part of a broader attempt to deepen bilateral foreign relations, as both nations seek to enhance their capabilities in surveillance technology. It was agreed that Bangladesh would send a team of officials from the BTRC and NTMC to visit the NRTC’s facilities in Haripur, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, to further assess collaborative opportunities.
The NRTC, operating under Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence Production, specializes in various military technologies, including surveillance systems and cyber warfare solutions. Recent scrutiny of Bangladesh’s NTMC revealed its involvement in controversial procurement practices, including the acquisition of Israeli-made surveillance equipment known as the Spearhead system from a supplier previously called WiSpear. This system allegedly had the capability to inject spyware into electronic devices within certain ranges.
In June 2021, Bangladesh’s Cabinet approved the purchase of specialized equipment for approximately BDT 65.56 crore, linked to a company that serves as a middleman for Israeli defense firms. Similar procurement activities dating back to 2019 include a Wi-Fi interception system, valued at around US$ 3 million, and a mobile monitoring system purchased from various international suppliers, including Singapore and Cyprus.
Brig Gen Shabbir’s visit marks a notable shift in Bangladesh’s national security strategy, suggesting that Pakistan may emerge as an alternative partner for surveillance technologies previously sourced from Israel. As these diplomatic and technological advancements develop, they underscore the complexities and sensitivities involved in international relationships concerning security and surveillance capabilities.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/neighbours/pakistan-signals-intelligence-official-makes-a-quiet-entry-to-dhaka-leaving-as-stealthily/26399/
Category: Neighbours,Bangladesh,Bilateral foreign relations,Defence cooperation,Pakistan
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-06-01 21:15:00
