Islamabad:
A total of 68 cases of child abduction and 48 cases of sexual abuse in the Federal Capital were reported, among eight documented categories of crimes against children, including traffic, child marriage, child labor, physical abuse, murder and child pornography, based on the data of the Islamabad police under the right to information law.
According to the latest report of the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), Islamabad registered the largest number of crimes reported against children in the categories of kidnapping and sexual abuse, however, the condemnation rate remained insignificant in 2024.
Although the challans of the case are presented, most cases remain under investigation or trial, and very few result in convictions.
The executive director of SSDO, Syed Kausar Abbas, said that data on crimes against children must regularly be public by the police and courts under the Law of Access to Information of 2017, to strengthen transparency and responsibility.
The data also show 14 cases of physical abuse, six children’s marriage and two each child traffic, murder and child pornography.
The report also indicates that several cases were withdrawn, which reflects serious gaps in the quality of the investigation, the collection of evidence and the protection of the victims and witnesses.
Abbas said the low conviction rate stands out at the right system.
He warned that crimes against children will persist at least unless urgent reforms, prosecution and mechanisms for supporting victims are implemented.
He recommended the establishment of specialized research units, fast -track courts and protection programs for robust victims and witnesses to guarantee rapid and effective justice.
