Child sexual abuse is a prevalent issue in Pakistan, occurring both online and in physical spaces. Recently, the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) revealed a significant network involved in exploiting children through blackmail. A prime suspect was apprehended in connection with the discovery of over 600 inappropriate videos of children.
The incident has raised alarms about the existence of such individuals in online environments accessible to both children and predators. Questions have emerged regarding the government’s protective measures for children, parental awareness, and efforts to dismantle similar networks. The editorial in ‘The Express Tribune’ highlighted the challenges in combating child sexual abuse, emphasizing the difficulties in prosecuting offenders who exploit online anonymity.
Some countries have restricted social media access for minors or integrated digital safety into education. The editorial suggests that Pakistan should adopt a pragmatic strategy beyond individual protection measures. In a report from September 2025, Pakistan witnessed a 20% increase in reported Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) cases in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
During the initial six months of 2025, 1956 cases were reported, encompassing abductions, missing children, CSA cases, and instances of child marriages. The rise in reported cases is attributed to enhanced reporting mechanisms, awareness campaigns by organizations like Sahil and VoicePK.net, and increased media coverage. However, socioeconomic challenges such as inflation, unemployment, and poverty have left children in low-income households particularly vulnerable to abuse.
