17,348 Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Cases Reported in Pakistan in 2025
Punjab accounted for 74% of all reported cases, according to National Commission on the Rights of Child data
Pakistan recorded 17,348 reported cases of child abuse and sexual crimes during 2025, with Punjab accounting for nearly three-quarters of the cases, according to data from the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC).
The NCRC data, covering January 1 to December 31, 2025, shows that Punjab reported 12,800 cases, representing 74% of the national total. Sindh recorded 3,187 cases, or 18%, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with 855 cases, accounting for 5%.
The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) reported 431 cases, representing 2.5% of the total, while Balochistan recorded 75 cases, or 0.4%.
The NCRC data shows that girls accounted for 65% of reported victims, while boys represented 35%. Children aged 11 to 17 years accounted for 86% of the reported cases, while 2,378 cases, or 13%, involved children aged 10 or younger.
The largest reported category involved the abduction and forcible taking away of children for forced marriage or sexual exploitation, with 8,205 cases.
This was followed by rape and sexual abuse of minors, with 5,024 cases. The data also recorded 3,163 cases of non-penetrative sexual abuse and 2,847 cases involving sexual abuse through grooming or enticement.
A further 281 cases involved children being given intoxicating or narcotic substances.
The NCRC data notes that more than one allegation may be included in a single case, meaning the figures across individual categories should not necessarily be treated as mutually exclusive.
Experts have also raised concerns about the growing use of the dark web in Pakistan for the production and circulation of material involving child sexual abuse, highlighting the increasing digital dimension of child exploitation.
NCRC Recommendations
The NCRC has proposed a series of measures aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s child protection system and improving support for survivors.
Among its recommendations is the establishment of District Child Protection Units in every district, with full staffing and trained case managers to handle child protection cases.
The commission has also recommended establishing Child Protection Committees in hospitals, bringing medical, forensic, legal and psychological services together under one roof.
At the provincial level, the NCRC has proposed a Survivor Support Fund to cover immediate medical and legal needs, relocation and long-term counselling costs.
It has further recommended a trauma-informed rehabilitation and follow-up system for at least 12 months after trial, aimed at providing longer-term support to survivors.
The commission has also called for strict protection of children’s identities and digital data during investigations, court proceedings and media coverage.
The data highlights the scale of reported child abuse and sexual crimes in Pakistan while also underscoring the need for stronger institutional protection, survivor support and safeguards against the digital exploitation of children.
