ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) — Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has reported arrests in investigations into alleged child sexual abuse material, online harassment and organised cybercrime, with cases spanning Islamabad, Karachi, Multan, Skardu and parts of southern Punjab.
NCCIA Additional Director Shoaib Khan told a news conference in Islamabad on Sunday that a man had been arrested for allegedly producing videos involving his own children, aged between five and six, and selling the material through Telegram.
Khan said investigators had identified a group allegedly involved in circulating and selling the material. He also disclosed allegations of filmed sexual abuse of animals in connection with the network.
According to the official, the main suspect belonged to Skardu, while investigations were continuing in several other locations. The identities of those involved were being withheld, he said.
Agency steps up online child protection efforts
Khan said the NCCIA had also arrested a suspect in an online sexual harassment case following a complaint from Karachi.
He announced plans for an awareness campaign at universities and schools to educate students and parents about online safety, digital exploitation and the risks children may face while using mobile phones.
The campaign would initially include visits to schools in Islamabad before being expanded nationwide, he said.
Khan also stressed the importance of reporting suspected offences involving children to the relevant authorities.
Seven FIRs registered in call centre cases
Separately, Khan said the NCCIA Islamabad had intensified action against suspected illegal call centres.
He said seven first information reports (FIRs) had recently been registered in connection with call centre investigations, with between 13,000 and 14,000 electronic devices recovered in the cases.
The official warned people against sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) and personal identification numbers (PINs), cautioning that fraudulent banking websites could imitate legitimate platforms to deceive users.
He added that Chinese nationals arrested in Pakistan would face proceedings under Pakistani law and could be deported after serving their sentences, subject to the applicable legal requirements.
Three Karachi firms under investigation
In a separate case, the NCCIA has investigated three Karachi-based companies allegedly involved in producing animated pornographic material involving minors.
NCCIA Deputy Director Shehzad Akbar said the companies allegedly operated through a coordinated structure under the direction of one individual.
According to Akbar, the firms used social media accounts posing as girls and young women to attract customers in the United States and Germany. They allegedly sold material from existing collections and produced additional content in response to customer requests.
The companies were also accused of blackmailing clients after selling them the material.
NCCIA Director Tariq Nawaz told Geo News that 42 people had been detained in connection with the case, including 13 who had been formally arrested and remanded into custody by a court.
The investigations form part of the agency’s broader efforts to combat online exploitation, harassment and financial fraud. Further proceedings are expected to establish the roles of the suspects and determine the extent of the alleged criminal activities.
