Under a 2010 certification approved by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA), NSA was permitted to spy on 193 foreign governments as well as foreign factions, political organisations and other entities, Washington Post reported.
According to the certification, the agency would require new certification approved by the court to permit such surveillance under Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act.
Sparing Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand with whom US has broad no-spying arrangements, the NSA was allowed to spy on 193 countries including Pakistan.
NSA spied on foreign political parties
The list also includes two factions of foreign nations Palestinian Authority; Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on NSA's radar.
What was most shocking revelation was the fact that under the FISA court certification NSA was even authorised to spy on foreign-based political organisations including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) from Pakistan and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from India.
The list also includes the Amal movement of Lebanon, Bolivaria Continental Coordinator, Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and te National Salvation Front.
Besides foreign countries, governments and political organisations NSA was also authorised to spy on international bodies such as the UN, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank and many others.
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According to the whistle-blower Snowden, NSA has already several times to find the trace of Pakistan's nuclear program and has increased the funds for intelligence agencies but failed to find any clue. How Pakistan is maintaining its nuclear weapons and where they are keeping them. Pakistan has been the front line ally to the US in the war against terror but unfortunately the US policies have led down the implementation of stability.
^ I meant to write country^
In short - NSA is authorized to spy on any country except the few the USA has "no spy" agreements. Why is that news?
the impression that this spying is all about terrorism is very imprudent. Most people involved in terrorist action already assume their phone calls are being tracked, so it's not like this is going to change their tactics. If US officials really wanted to make America safe, they have to get control of the corporations whom are exploiting countries around the world, using US soldiers and diplomats as their proxy. Of course it's all in the name of profits, profits for military equipment, profits for security companies and profits for natural resource companies.
U.S. Business Rule: Followed around the Globe. 1)A company has a right to close its doors to any client or customer it don't like to do business with. 2)A costumer can't win... in court a "Right to Buy/Shop from certain store" if that shop don't want to sell you anything... including medicines. 3)If you don't like my policies, "don't do business with me". It's as simple as that. 4)If you agree on my terms, I have the right to watch...you don't cheat. If I find you cheating, I put sanctions on you along with my buddies in business. I have right to make friends or dump them. 5)I am in business for profit; You should know the rules of business before getting into one.
Trusting U.S. Is like Trusting a Selfish Rich "Business Man". A business man is to make profit on his deals and has right to watch out for dangers to his investments. What are you talking about. That is Basic Business101. Once you understand that, all will be simple, no surprises!
Uh, why am I not suprised? Expected. If the US is spying on Chancellor Merkel trust me, they are reading this comment I am writing - right now.
What else you can expect from a hypocrite state and a state which is not sincere to its own citizens. Pakistan and India are the countries which comes later in the context of spying. The country who didn't left its own citizens, can be expected to do anything. We must be thankful to Snowden for his courage deed that he revealed the true face of USA not in-front of Pakistan and India only but also in-front of its own allies who were thinking of it their sole friend and they are safe under the security umbrella of USA. Now sanctions and all the punishment must be awarded to USA as any other state doing the same would have been awarded as a member of international system.
Even European allies are not free from US global spying. German Chancellor's telephone calls have been taped by NSA on various occasions. Pakistan which is front line state during war against terror is also under NSA surveillance. this shows US' double standards.
This is absolutely and precisely true that if USA is your friend in your friends' circle then you never need any enemies because US works in mutli-dimensional angels and covers from all aspects and angels for its own interests........
The PPP should feel proud.....
@Truth:Agreed.I too was thinking what is the news in telling that the only super power of the world spies over other countries.Any sensible country besides SP will keep an eye on the activities taking place in countries who may pose any threat to the country concerned
NSA wouldn't,have to do a lot of struggle in Pakistan. Majority of Pakistani politicians, civil servents, few National security personnel and ex army personnels could provide all the required information happily as their loyalties are to USA not to Pakistan. A political party openly offered the service to USA and UK to gather intelligence informations for them.
So what's the big deal?? Really?? Is it worthy of becoming the lead story? If they can spy on their European and other allies, is it really a surprise? Thank you.
I know your paper is with an American company. But I hope you allow free speech and allow this comment.
On this issue Indians and Pakistanis can be together.
Keep in mind Americans have a massive superiority complex and they think they are the God appointed moral custodians of the rest of the world. Never mind how much evil they have perpetrated in this world starting with the genocide of millions of native americans and the brutal slavery of African people.
Today they give massive subsidies to their farmers and ensure third world people remain poor.
....if 193 countries are there, which means whole world, so whats the surprise to identify Pakistan and India....don't make such useless news...
I did not not know that there are 193 countries in the world. At least we are treated equally!