The National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has dismantled a child sexual exploitation network operating in Muzaffargarh, Punjab, with links to an international syndicate led by a German national. The operation, carried out on May 23, led to the arrest of two suspects and the rescue of ten children.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry disclosed these details at a press briefing in Islamabad, stating that the gang was part of a broader international ring exploiting vulnerable children. The group allegedly established a recreational facility that attracted children aged 6 to 10 under the guise of teaching games. The premises were equipped with high-tech equipment and surveillance cameras.
Chaudhry said children from impoverished backgrounds were enticed with money and later blackmailed. Their abuse was recorded and the footage uploaded to the dark web, where it was sold for thousands of dollars. Some of the content was even live-streamed globally from Muzaffargarh.
The investigation revealed that around fifty children had fallen victim to the gang. Ten were recovered during the operation, with six now in the care of the Child Protection Bureau. The interior minister emphasized that action has also been initiated against families found complicit in the exploitation.
The five-hour-long raid was conducted with assistance from other law enforcement agencies. Authorities are now working to apprehend the German ringleader behind the network.
Chaudhry highlighted the NCCIA’s broader efforts in tackling cybercrime, including financial fraud and online harassment. He called for a significant expansion of the agency, proposing a threefold increase in staff and the establishment of branches in every district. Requests for additional funding have been submitted to the interior minister and the prime minister.
He also mentioned that 178 FIRs have been registered for child exploitation, with 198 arrests made and 14 individuals sentenced to four to ten years in prison.
According to a civil society report, 3,364 cases of child abuse, including abduction and forced marriage, were reported in 2024 across all provinces and territories.
