ISLAMABAD: The National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has successfully uncovered and dismantled a child sexual exploitation network operating in Muzaffargarh, Punjab.
The gang, reportedly masterminded by a German national, targeted vulnerable children by grooming and exploiting them. Following a coordinated raid on May 23, the agency arrested two suspects and rescued ten children from this horrific ring.
How the Gang Operated
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry revealed that the gang operated a small club in Muzaffargarh, where children aged 6 to 10 were lured with games and modern facilities, including high-tech cameras. Children from poor families were enticed with money but were then blackmailed into exploitation.
Videos of the abuse were recorded and distributed on the dark web, fetching thousands of dollars daily.
Some of the content was even live-streamed internationally.
Chaudhry confirmed that around fifty children were victimized by this network. Out of those, ten were rescued, and six were safely handed over to the Child Protection Bureau.
He also disclosed that some parents of the affected children were complicit in the crimes, and action has been taken against them as well.
Efforts to Combat Child Exploitation and Cybercrime
The NCCIA, in collaboration with other agencies, conducted a five-hour operation resulting in arrests and recovery of victims. The agency has been actively fighting various cybercrimes including financial scams and harassment. Minister Chaudhry emphasized the need to expand the NCCIA workforce threefold and establish branches in every district for better enforcement.
Statistics show child abuse remains a serious problem nationwide. According to the ‘Cruel Numbers 2024’ report by civil society group Sahil, over 3,300 cases of child abuse were reported last year, including sexual abuse, abduction, and child marriage. The report highlighted that nine children are abused daily on average, with victims almost equally divided between girls and boys.
The Interior Ministry and Prime Minister have been urged to increase NCCIA funding to strengthen its efforts in protecting children and curbing cybercrime across Pakistan.
