Huawei wi-fi modules were pulled from Pakistan CCTV system

[NANO]

Huawei removed wi-fi transmitting cards from a Pakistan-based surveillance system's CCTV cabinets after they were discovered by the project's staff.

Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) told Panorama it had told the firm to remove the modules in 2017 "due to potential of misuse". The authority said that the Chinese firm had previously made mention of the cards in its bidding documents. But a source involved in the project suggested the reference was obscure. A spokesman for Huawei said there had been a "misunderstanding". He added that the cards had been installed to provide diagnostic information, but said he was unable to discuss the matter further. The PSCA confirmed that the explanation it had been given was that wi-fi connectivity could have made it easier for engineers to troubleshoot problems when they stood close to the cabinets, without having to open them up. Two people involved in Lahore's project helped bring the matter to the attention and have asked to remain anonymous. One said that Huawei had never provided an app to make use of the wi-fi link, and added that the cabinets could already be managed remotely via the surveillance system's main network.