Islamabad, September 17 (Daily Kiran) : In Islamabad, child sexual abuse remains a critical issue, with a strikingly low conviction rate for offenders. Experts warn that this lack of accountability emboldens criminals and contributes to a troubling rise in incidents.
Reports indicate that stories of child rape, murder, or both emerge every few weeks in Pakistan. Each incident sparks public outrage and demands for justice, yet interest wanes over time. This cycle has hindered the development of robust systems for child protection, crime prevention, accountability for offenders, and rehabilitation for victims.
A recent case in Karachi highlighted the severity of the situation. An 18-month-old girl named Aizal died after being sexually abused. According to police, a teenage relative took her from her home, returning her in critical condition before she succumbed to her injuries. Earlier, in August, the body of five-year-old Ayat Noor was discovered in a well, with investigations revealing sexual abuse.
The child protection organization Sahil released a report noting that 1,914 cases of child abuse were recorded in the first half of 2026. This figure includes 49 newborns and children found abandoned on the streets.
From January to June 2026, Pakistan saw 1,015 cases of child sexual abuse, 558 abductions, 101 missing children reports, 98 incidents involving obscene materials related to sexual abuse, and 35 child marriage cases.
The report, which compiles data from newspapers across Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, reveals that 58% of the victims were girls. Among the victims, 598 were aged 11 to 15 years, 356 were 16 to 18, 329 were between 6 and 10, and 95 were aged 0 to 5. The ages of victims were not disclosed in 487 cases.
The findings also show that in 43% of cases, the perpetrators were known to the victims, while 34% were strangers. Of the recorded incidents, 57% occurred in urban areas and 43% in rural regions.
Despite legal reforms aimed at imposing stricter penalties on offenders, the report emphasizes that insufficient improvements in the investigation process and victim protection remain significant issues. Analysts point out that the low conviction rate encourages criminals to continue their offenses. Many perpetrators target multiple children over time, with investigations often uncovering connections to other victims through their mobile phones. However, lengthy judicial processes and inadequate follow-ups result in minimal convictions.
Moreover, the report highlights that systemic issues such as poverty, child labor, early marriages, and unsafe social environments further exacerbate children’s vulnerability to exploitation and abuse. These factors collectively contribute to the escalating crisis of child abuse in Pakistan.
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