Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), the federal cybercrime force, has arrested two men in Islamabad over suspected links to an international child abuse network after a US child-safety alert. Officials say the case began when a social media platform flagged suspected child sexual abuse material and reported it to the US-based National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which then referred the information to Pakistani authorities.
How the tip reached Pakistani investigators
NCMEC works with technology firms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Google, which send suspected exploitation reports through set channels. Those files can include account and technical data, including IP addresses, that help police identify possible suspects. Officials familiar with the inquiry said this referral triggered the NCCIA probe that led to the first arrest and, days later, a second.
They described cases involving very young victims as especially grave. Children in the matters under review were often five or younger, including ages one to four, and some material allegedly involved infants as young as one year old.
Arrests, alleged payments and Telegram groups
Acting on the tip, NCCIA arrested Sajid Ali, a Skardu resident, on 26 October. Investigators say they recovered suspected abuse material from his phones, including footage said to involve children in Pakistan and content from other countries. Questioning of Sajid, officials alleged, pointed them to a second man, held on 29 October.
Officials alleged that the second accused had recorded sexual abuse of his own very young child and shared the videos with Sajid, who they said paid Rs7,000 for one clip. The second suspect reportedly told investigators he filmed the material at Sajid’s request in return for money. Sajid was also said to have been active in Telegram groups used to circulate such content, contacting members, claiming to hold more videos and urging others to share similar files. During questioning he reportedly described his motive as “mental satisfaction.” Beyond the alleged Rs7,000 payment, a wider financial motive has not been proven; investigators have sought bank statements and said anyone tied to international transfers would also be questioned if such evidence appeared.
Court remand and next hearing
An FIR was lodged on 26 October at the NCCIA Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Islamabad under the cybercrime law and the Pakistan Penal Code. Investigating Officer Muhammad Waseem Khan, a sub-inspector, asked Judicial Magistrate (West) for eight more days’ physical remand of both men so devices and social media accounts could be checked with them present and other alleged members traced. Sajid had already spent six days on physical remand; the second suspect had spent three. The court allowed four further days for each and ordered them produced again on 6 November.
Officials said NCMEC referrals are now an important lead source for Pakistan’s online child-exploitation work, though how often such tips drive new cases was not independently confirmed.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 26 October: FIR registered at the NCCIA Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Islamabad; Sajid Ali arrested.
- 26 October onwards: Sajid held on physical remand (six days in the period described to the court).
- 29 October: Second suspect arrested after Sajid’s interrogation.
- Late October–early November: Second suspect completes three days’ remand; IO seeks eight further days for both.
- Court order: Four days’ further physical remand granted for each; next production fixed for 6 November.
Aasan alfaaz mein
America se child safety ki tip ke baad NCCIA ne Islamabad mein do aadmi giraftar kiye hain. Inhen bohot chhote bachon ke abuse ke videos banane aur share karne ke shak mein pakra gaya hai. Court ne dono ko mazeed char din physical remand di hai, aur 6 November ko wapas paish karna hoga. Bacchon ki online hifazat ke liye aisi tipain aur tehqiqat jari hain.
