Pakistani Authorities Arrest Suspect Linked to Exploitation of American Minors
Pakistani authorities arrested a man accused of blackmailing American minors using explicit images online, highlighting gaps in Pakistan's enforcement of child protection laws, digital crime investigation, and child safety awareness
[Islamabad] – Pakistan authorities apprehended a suspect on charges of possessing indecent images of American children, acting on a request from the United States.
According to the Federal Investigation Agency, the request was received in early March from Special Agent Christopher Peterson of the US Consulate in Karachi, accusing a Pakistani citizen of blackmail and possession of explicit images of underage American children.
In a report submitted to the court, FIA officials stated that a warrant was obtained for the suspect, Agha Sarwar Abbas, following an investigation prompted by the US Consulate’s request. After getting a search warrant, the federal agents raided the suspect’s house and seized his electronic devices, including his mobile phone and laptop. Officials revealed that digital devices recovered from the suspect contained indecent images, videos, and threatening messages involving underage American children.
According to the Federal Investigation Agency, he had been in contact with American children through various online platforms, including Google Meet, Wearables.com, Snapchat, and other video and text chat rooms. The FIA further stated that the accused Abbas used these platforms to obtain the real addresses of the children’s homes in the US. He then threatened to leak their indecent videos unless they complied with his demands.
Additionally, the accused was involved in uploading several explicit videos to pornographic websites. The Federal Investigation Agency has registered a case against the accused under multiple sections of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act.
However, in the charge sheet submitted to the court, officials from the Federal Investigation Agency stated that the accused Abbas had confessed to involvement in child pornography. He also admitted to exploiting and threatening American children by misusing their explicit images.
On Wednesday, Ameer Ali Khoso, the investigating officer assigned to the case, presented the suspect before Judicial Magistrate Yusra Ashfaq and formally requested the court grant him physical custody for interrogation. The investigating officer informed the court that the suspect was arrested for allegedly being involved in child pornography by misusing the objectionable personal data of minor U.S. citizens.
After reviewing the IO’s statement and the remand papers, the court granted the suspect’s physical remand to the FIA. The court further directed the FIA to complete its investigation and submit a charge sheet. Upon completion of the inquiry, formal charges will be filed against the accused.
On the other side, during the first week of March, a Pakistani national was arrested by the US authorities in Mississippi‘s Lee County for possession of child pornography. According to a US-based news website, djournal.com, Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson received a tip from the “Internet Crimes Against Children” Task Force, a division of the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, about a possible child pornography case in Lee County.
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.
They all said they cover it.
We see it.
We report with just one agenda: the truth.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip about the distribution of child pornography on a social media platform, after which it alerted state authorities with information about the relevant case. Deputy Sheriffs, along with the Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security, and FBI agents, raided a house on March 4, and a Pakistani national, Ali Ahmad, 37, was arrested and charged with possession/distribution of child pornography.
A month ago, Pakistan launched a nationwide crackdown on the illegal sale of pre-activated British mobile SIMs, citing their use in child pornography and other criminal activities. During the raids, several suspects were arrested, and a large number of illegally activated SIM cards were confiscated.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and Federal Investigation Authority stressed that the unauthorized sale of these SIMs poses a serious security risk, enabling untraceable and anonymous communications for criminal activities.
Child pornography is a criminal offense in Pakistan, with various laws and regulations in place to prohibit and penalize its production, distribution, and possession. Pakistan has also ratified several international treaties and conventions aimed at combating child pornography, including the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography.
However, experts note that while Pakistan has legal frameworks to prevent child sexual abuse, the enforcement remains weak, with challenges in evidence collection and prosecution of offenders.
Saeedain Khan, a senior lawyer at the Lahore High Court, told The Media Line that “under the state constitution and relevant laws, child pornography is a grave criminal offense in Pakistan, punishable by imprisonment and substantial fines.” However, he emphasized that “despite these legal provisions, enforcement remains a significant challenge.”
He pointed out that “systemic issues, such as inadequate investigation procedures, delays in evidence collection, and a lack of specialized training for law enforcement, hinder progress.” Khan further highlighted that “digital forensics, which is crucial for prosecuting such cases, is still in its developmental stages in Pakistan, often resulting in weak prosecutions and low conviction rates.”
Moreover, Khan noted that “victims and their families frequently hesitate to report these crimes due to social stigma and the fear of retaliation.” He called for urgent legal reforms, better investigative capabilities, and increased public awareness to address these gaps.
Strengthening the judiciary’s ability to handle cybercrime-related offenses and ensuring swift legal action against perpetrators, Khan emphasized, are critical steps toward protecting children from exploitation. Syed Jowdat Nadeem, a senior member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), told The Media Line, “The recent blackmailing of American minors via child pornography by a Pakistani perpetrator highlights the global scourge of child exploitation networks thriving in the digital shadows.”
He added, “This incident is a severe human rights violation, a crime against humanity, and a moral failure to protect our most vulnerable—our children.”
Nadeem noted that “while Pakistan has laws in place and is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the implementation of these laws remains weak, often marred by negligence, corruption, and a lack of resources.” He pointed to the Kasur child abuse scandal, where hundreds of children were exploited over several years, as a painful reminder of how systemic failures enable such atrocities.
The fight against child abuse is not just a legal or political issue; it is also a moral imperative. Every child has the right to live with dignity, safety, and freedom from exploitation.
“The fight against child abuse is not just a legal or political issue; it is also a moral imperative,” Nadeem emphasized. “Every child has the right to live with dignity, safety, and freedom from exploitation.”
Riffat Ayesha, a Rawalpindi-based clinical psychologist, told The Media Line that “proven studies show individuals involved in child pornography and sexual abuse often exhibit deeply disturbing psychological traits, posing a serious threat to society.”
Drawing attention to the significant psychological challenges confronting offenders in Pakistan, she underscored the critical deficiency in access to mental health services, noting that the limited availability of treatment constitutes a major and persistent obstacle. She further told The Media Line that “research indicates many perpetrators suffer from psychiatric disorders, personality deficits, and cognitive distortions that enable their criminal behaviour.
Ayesha underlined that “self-imposed religious and cultural pressures further discourage such discussions, with psychological disorders frequently dismissed as a lack of faith.” She observed that the stigma surrounding sexual behaviour and abuse discourages offenders from seeking treatment due to fear of judgment or legal repercussions. “Without proper intervention, untreated individuals remain a persistent threat,” she warned, stressing the urgent need to raise awareness and enhance mental health services to prevent such crimes.
Meanwhile, available data from the first half of 2024 reveals that 1,630 cases of child abuse were reported across Pakistan, including 862 instances of child sexual abuse, 668 abductions, 82 missing children, and 18 child marriages. Additionally, 48 cases involved pornography following sexual abuse. The report indicates that 59% of the victims were girls (962 cases), while 41% were boys (668 cases).
