FIA arrests suspect for involvement in child pornography

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested on Sunday a suspect in Jhang accused of being a member of a group and for sharing child pornography videos with international ring.

The agency was given a tip by Interpol Canada, after which the agency arrested the man who is said to be an Engineering student, local media reported. The FIA seized a laptop, mobile phone and other equipment from the accused and also recovered data.

FIA anti-crime unit's deputy director Khalid Anis said that the accused has allegedly been involved in the activity since two years. Meanwhile, the accused has confessed to his crimes and said that he joined the porn group for his mental gratification only.

Child pornography offences did not come into action in Pakistan but after the 2015 Kasur child abuse case, a Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2015 was passed by the National Assembly which contained two to seven-year imprisonment for any offence committed related to child pornography.

However, after objections were raised regarding the time period, a new bill in 2017 was passed in which the punishment was increased from seven years to 14 to 20 years imprisonment.