Karachi: Despite the presence of strict laws against sexual harassment and the exploitation of children and women, the weaknesses of the survey and prosecution continue to allow delinquents to escape punishment, contributing to an increase in cases of child abuse.
Recent incidents, including the Qayyumabad case involving indecent videos of minors, have amplified fears among parents and children.
Legal experts warn that if Pakistan has tightened laws in this area, convictions are rare due to bad surveys and fragiles. Obsolete survey methods and the lack of modern medico-legal support mean that serious digital crimes, such as recording and downloading obscene content on the dark web, often remain not proven in court.
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The Supreme Court’s main lawyer Hassan Sabir said the Qayyumabad affair highlights critical system gaps. “The tragedy is that the police are still investigating with conventional methods, while digital crimes require advanced technology and forensic expertise. This weakness benefits the accused and denies the victims,” he noted. He stressed that such offenses should transport additional terrorism sections due to their serious psychological impact on society.
Sabir stressed that Pakistan has only a handful of digital crime experts, and has called for the creation of medical-legal laboratories dedicated in each district, with qualified personnel. He also urged rapid trials in cases of children’s abuse so that offenders become “an example for others”.
Criticizing judicial treatment, he said that the courts often delay measures on the pretext of incomplete surveys, even if the law allows them to transfer cases or add relevant sections if necessary.
