Pakistan faces a child sexual exploitation crisis exploding across online platforms and streets alike, as evidenced by the FIA’s takedown of a vast blackmail network preying on minors. Authorities arrested a central figure holding 600+ disturbing videos, spotlighting regulatory black holes in kid-accessible digital spaces.
The Express Tribune editorial unleashes a barrage of unanswered queries: Government’s child safety blueprint? Parental alert protocols? Proactive hunts for rogue outfits? Silence reigns, eroding public trust.
Real-world violations persist unchecked, where even provable physical crimes falter in courts—cyber culprits, cloaked in anonymity, slip through cracks with ease. Contrasting progressive bans on teen social media abroad or curriculum integrations, Pakistan’s approach stays fragmented, overburdening families.
From Sahil’s 2025 mid-year tally, child abuse reports soared 20% to 1,956, encompassing kidnaps, disappearances, direct assaults, and child marriages. Cultural taboos, vengeance risks, and enforcement gaps compel cover-ups, with systems often retraumatizing victims.
Better reporting stems from NGO campaigns and press scrutiny, yet underlying poverty, unemployment surges, and rampant digital immersion propel vulnerability. A paradigm shift demands structured policies prioritizing prevention over reaction.