The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested a man from Skardu for allegedly producing and selling sexually explicit videos of his own children, aged between four and five, as part of an international child sexual abuse material network.
NCCIA Additional Director Mohammad Shoaib Khan disclosed the details at a press conference on Sunday. He said the videos were bought and sold in secret Telegram groups using cryptocurrency. The suspect, identified as the alleged ringleader, was arrested with international assistance.
Mr Khan said this is the first case in Pakistan in which a man has been found involved in such a crime against his own minor children. Investigators also found videos depicting animal abuse during the probe. Important leads were obtained from Islamabad, Multan and southern Punjab, and raids are under way to arrest other members of the network.
In a separate case, the NCCIA arrested four members of another network dealing in child abuse material. The suspects befriended children aged between six and 14 on Instagram and lured them into making indecent videos, which were then sold internationally. About 60 such videos were recovered from a phone.
In a third case, the NCCIA traced and arrested the main suspect in Islamabad within hours after a minor girl from Karachi attempted suicide following prolonged harassment. The suspect had allegedly harassed and blackmailed the girl for two to three years. The agency acted with the help of the victim’s family.
Mr Khan said a zero-tolerance policy against those harassing women and children is being enforced. He urged social media users to think before uploading any indecent material, saying those posting unlawful content will not escape justice.
He also advised citizens not to share one-time passwords, bank account details or personal information with anyone, and to beware of fraudulent phone numbers and fake websites. Victims of cybercrime can lodge complaints through the NCCIA helpline, 1799, which operates 24 hours a day.
Separately, NCCIA Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi directed officials to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards those harassing citizens, particularly women and children, on social media.
He instructed them to strengthen citizen protection, expedite complaint resolution and improve institutional coordination. He also ordered strict monitoring of, and action against, accounts spreading fake news, propaganda against state institutions, and content intended to cause fear and panic.
