Loopholes help child abuse offenders escape punishment

KARACHI: Despite the presence of strict laws against sexual harassment and exploitation of children and women, weaknesses in investigation and prosecution continue to allow offenders to escape punishment, contributing to a surge in child abuse cases.

Recent incidents, including the Qayyumabad case involving indecent videos of minors, have amplified fears among parents and children.

Legal experts warn that while Pakistan has tightened laws in this domain, convictions remain rare due to poor investigations and fragile prosecution. Outdated methods of inquiry and lack of modern forensic support mean that serious digital crimes, such as recording and uploading obscene content to the dark web, often remain unproven in court.

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Senior Supreme Court lawyer Hassan Sabir said the Qayyumabad case underscores the critical gaps in the system. "The tragedy is that the police still investigate with conventional methods, while digital crimes require advanced technology and forensic expertise. This weakness benefits the accused and denies justice to victims," he noted. He stressed that such offences should carry additional terrorism sections due to their severe psychological impact on society.

Sabir pointed out that Pakistan has only a handful of trained digital crime and forensic experts, and called for the establishment of dedicated forensic labs in every district, staffed with skilled personnel. He also urged speedy trials in child abuse cases so that offenders become "an example for others."

Criticising judicial handling, he said courts often delay action under the pretext of incomplete investigations, even though the law allows them to transfer cases or add relevant sections where necessary.