Pakistan launches child protection strategy after Minute Mirror report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched its first National Strategy to End Violence Against Children 2026–2031, following an investigative report by Daily Minute Mirror highlighting the scale of online child abuse and gaps in the country’s response system.

The Ministry of Human Rights announced the strategy on October 15, 2026, three days after Minute Mirror published an investigation examining technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse of children. The newspaper described the development as a significant example of investigative journalism contributing to national policy discussions.

The investigation, published on October 12 under the headline “Safe Scroll, Unsafe Reality: 1.5 Million Children Abused Online in One Year, Justice Reaches Less Than 1%,” was written by Asad Kharal, founding chairman of CIJ Global and editor of investigations at Daily Minute Mirror.

According to the report, the findings drew on the Disrupting Harm in Pakistan study, along with police records, parliamentary proceedings, court data and information concerning the capacity of cybercrime authorities. The newspaper said the investigation was certified by CIJ Global Fact-Check.

The report highlighted the challenges faced by children experiencing online sexual exploitation, including underreporting, limited investigative capacity, delays in forensic examinations and low conviction rates in cases involving child abuse.

It also raised concerns about coordination among law enforcement agencies and the availability of effective reporting and support mechanisms for young victims.

Safe Scroll dialogue calls for reforms

On October 12, a national policy dialogue titled “Safe Scroll — Protecting Our Children Online” concluded at the Mövenpick Hotel in Islamabad. The eight-hour event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Human Rights, Punjab’s Child Protection and Welfare Bureau, UNICEF Pakistan and UNFPA Pakistan, with Minute Mirror serving as the official media partner.

The dialogue brought together representatives of government institutions, law enforcement, the judiciary, media organisations and technology platforms to discuss measures for protecting children in digital spaces.

Its five-point joint declaration called for consolidating helpline services under 1121 as a national Safe Scroll helpline offering round-the-clock assistance, psychosocial support and mechanisms for reporting harmful content.

The declaration also proposed legal reforms to prevent settlements in online child abuse cases, improve forensic interviewing procedures and establish fast-track child courts. Other recommendations included mandatory public awareness programming, stronger safeguards by digital platforms and the integration of digital literacy into school curricula.

Participants stressed the importance of shifting from asking children to avoid online risks towards building systems that prevent abuse, support victims and hold perpetrators accountable.

Government announces national strategy

On October 15, the Ministry of Human Rights launched the National Strategy to End Violence Against Children 2026–2031. According to *Minute Mirror*, the government also formally designated 1121 as the National Safe Scroll Helpline and initiated the process of prioritising child online safety under Section 20(e) of the PEMRA Ordinance 2007.

The report further highlighted the potential use of existing public-service broadcasting provisions to increase awareness about online child safety, reporting channels and preventive measures.

The newspaper said its investigation relied on multiple sources, including research on child exploitation, Senate committee records, regulatory provisions, cybercrime notifications and child protection data. It also cited on-ground verification conducted during the October 12 policy dialogue.

The launch of the national strategy marks a policy development in Pakistan’s efforts to address violence against children. However, the effectiveness of the proposed measures will depend on implementation, coordination among relevant institutions, adequate resources and accessible support for victims.

Minute Mirror said the developments demonstrated the potential of sustained investigative journalism to bring public policy issues into focus and press for institutional action.