Lahore man nabbed in child abuse case

NCCIA, with Australian police and Interpol, uncovers network sharing abusive content online

ISLAMABAD:

In a major breakthrough in investigations into an international child exploitation network, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested a key suspect from Lahore allegedly involved in producing and distributing videos and images of the abuse of underage girls.

According to an NCCIA spokesperson, the agency made significant progress during its joint operations Roads and Iceberg, carried out in collaboration with the Australian police. The investigations uncovered a global network spreading indecent and exploitative material through WhatsApp, Telegram, and other digital platforms.

Officials said that the operation led to the identification of two groups, 'Rainbow' and 'Mylovdolikon', named in reports obtained from Interpol and other international institutions. Experts described the development as a major step forward in the global investigation into online child exploitation.

The arrested suspect, identified as Asim Muhammad Qasim, a resident of Lahore's Ichhra area, was traced as the primary Pakistani link to the network. Evidence recovered from his possession includes mobile phone data, social media accounts, and hard drives containing videos and images related to the exploitation of minors.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Qasim was actively involved in preparing and sharing illegal content through multiple online channels. The agency said the inquiry used detailed reports provided by Interpol, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and other international partners.

NCCIA investigators also established the suspect's links with international users identified by their online names 'Sassi' (Brazil) and 'Twinkle' (Portugal), believed to be part of the same child abuse material network.

Following the arrest, the NCCIA registered a case under FIR No. 298/2025. Inspector Ikram Muqaddas lodged the complaint under Sections 21, 22A, and 22B of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, along with Section 377 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Officials confirmed that efforts are under way to identify other members of the network and trace the victims. They said details of the case have been forwarded to the relevant national and international authorities for further coordination.