LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Peshawar has arrested a suspect linked to the uploading and sharing of child pornographic content on the video-sharing platform TikTok.
The arrest follows a Cyber Tipline alert received from the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
According to official report, a TikTok account was found involved in circulating abusive material involving children. The tipline also flagged a mobile number associated with the account, which led investigators to identify the suspect as Muhammad Abobakar, a resident of FizaGhat Mohallah Alam Nagar, Tehsil Babozai, district Swat.
An official enquiry was launched on April 28, 2025. Subsequent efforts to locate the suspect proved initially unsuccessful as he was not found at his registered address. However, acting on intelligence reports, a search and seizure operation was carried out on July 10. After hours of ground work, the accused was apprehended from Swat, and two mobile phones were seized from his possession.
Preliminary analysis of the confiscated phones revealed significant amounts of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including the content flagged by NCMEC.
Following the recovery, an FIR was registered on July 11 under cybercrime laws. The Judicial Magistrate-I, Peshawar, has granted three-day physical remand for further investigation.
NCCIA officials confirmed that the accused is currently in custody, and a detailed forensic examination of the digital devices is underway to trace further leads and collaborators.
This case highlights the growing concerns around online child exploitation and the importance of international cooperation in identifying and prosecuting offenders.
Published in News Daily on 13-July-2025.
