The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has uncovered an international network involved in producing and distributing child sexual abuse material, arresting a father accused of exploiting his own young children, officials announced on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, NCCIA Additional Director Mohammad Shoaib Khan said the agency had identified a network allegedly producing and selling abusive videos through encrypted messaging platforms and cryptocurrency transactions.
Khan described the investigation as an unprecedented case in Pakistan, claiming it was the first time authorities had uncovered a father allegedly involved in producing and selling sexually abusive material featuring his own minor children.
“The accused was involved in making indecent videos of his children, aged between four and five, and selling them. The videos were bought and sold in secret Telegram groups through cryptocurrency,” he said.
According to Khan, the suspected ringleader belonged to Skardu and was apprehended with the assistance of international law enforcement agencies.
Investigators also uncovered evidence indicating that some of the material involved animal abuse.
The NCCIA official said investigators had recovered significant evidence and identified connections in Islamabad, Multan and other parts of South Punjab.
He added that operations were continuing to identify and arrest other individuals suspected of facilitating the network.
“Those involved in such heinous crimes will be brought to justice,” Khan stated.
The NCCIA also announced the arrest of four suspected members of another network allegedly involved in producing and distributing child sexual abuse material.
Khan said the investigation began after authorities examined approximately 60 videos recovered from a child’s mobile phone.
According to the official, a suspect allegedly approached children aged between six and 14 through Instagram, gained their trust and offered them money before exploiting them to produce abusive videos.
The material was subsequently sold to international buyers through WhatsApp groups, he said.
Khan also disclosed that two Chinese nationals had previously been convicted in connection with similar offences.
The agency said investigations and raids were continuing as authorities sought to dismantle the networks and apprehend additional suspects.
The allegations highlight the use of social media, encrypted messaging applications and digital payment systems in the exploitation of children, with the NCCIA pursuing both domestic and international links in the cases.