Islamabad: The General Secretary of the PPP Human Rights Cell, Malaika Raza, voiced significant concern over a recently shared report with the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights. The report, crafted by a non-governmental organization focusing on child protection, reveals a worrying increase in child abuse and exploitation cases across Pakistan, particularly in Punjab.
The NGO report disclosed that since 2019, there have been at least 5,398 reported cases of child sexual abuse, marking a 220 percent increase over five years. The 2024 breakdown shows Punjab leading with 6,083 cases, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 1,102, Sindh with 354, Islamabad with 138, and Balochistan with 69 reported cases.
The report further categorizes the highest reported cases in 2024, including 3,002 cases of sexual abuse, 2,505 kidnappings, 895 incidents of child labor, 697 of physical abuse, 588 of child trafficking, and 59 of child marriage. Early 2025 data for Punjab alone shows 4,150 cases, surpassing half of its total 2024 caseload within just the first six months of 2025.
Ms. Raza stressed the necessity for urgent measures in prevention, legal reforms, and resource allocation. She highlighted the importance of community awareness campaigns, school-based safety programs, and safeguarding training for parents and caregivers. “We need to address legislative and enforcement gaps to improve accountability and increase conviction rates for crimes against children,” she asserted.
The report also calls for improving data quality and transparency while respecting minors’ privacy and enhancing coordination among various sectors, including government agencies, civil society, and child protection services. It emphasizes the need for adequate funding to support prevention, investigation, prosecution, and survivor rehabilitation efforts.
The NGO’s briefing aims to inform policy discussions within the PCCR and drive evidence-based recommendations, acknowledging that many cases remain unreported. The figures in the report stem from documented cases reported from 2019 through mid-2025.