Pakistan’s attorney general proposes stronger regional coordination, digital evidence sharing and platform accountability to protect children online.
Web Desk: Pakistan’s Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan has called for stronger regional cooperation among Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to protect children from online exploitation and strengthen accountability for digital platforms.
Awan made the remarks while addressing the 24th Meeting of Prosecutors and Attorneys General of SCO Member States on October 1, 2026. The meeting was convened by Russia and its Prosecutor General’s Office and focused on safeguarding families and preventing unlawful content from reaching minors.
The attorney general said shared commitments should be translated into practical measures covering prevention, investigation, prosecution and protection of child victims.
Focus on online exploitation of children
Awan highlighted the growing risks faced by children online, including exploitation by offenders who can conceal their identities and operate across national borders.
He pointed to provisions of Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, covering offences including online grooming, solicitation, cyber enticement and commercial sexual exploitation of children.
He also stressed the need for specialised investigations, rapid preservation of electronic evidence, protection of children’s identities and appropriate support for victims during legal proceedings.
Pakistan’s child protection measures
Awan outlined Pakistan’s existing child-protection mechanisms, including the National Commission on the Rights of Child Act, 2017, and the National Child Rights Integrated Dashboard.
According to the attorney general, the dashboard combines information from federal and provincial authorities to help monitor child-rights violations, identify gaps and guide protective measures.
He also discussed Pakistan’s legislative framework for securing electronic evidence and referred to provisions introduced in 2025 concerning social media regulation and complaint mechanisms.
Three areas proposed for SCO cooperation
Awan proposed three areas for closer cooperation among SCO members.
The first was the establishment of designated contact points to facilitate urgent referrals and requests for preservation of digital evidence through existing legal channels.
The second was joint training on digital evidence, interviewing child victims and preparing effective mutual legal assistance requests.
The third was research and expert-level meetings to develop practical guidance on platform responses, content filtering in educational institutions and safeguards for children’s data.
He also called for regular reviews to assess whether such initiatives were translating into practical results.
Call for greater digital awareness
The attorney general emphasised that online child protection also requires greater awareness among children, parents and educators.
He called for accessible reporting mechanisms and prompt action against child sexual abuse material, alongside preservation of relevant digital evidence.
Awan said awareness initiatives should help families recognise online risks and make effective use of available safety tools.
In his address, Awan said the region should turn its commitments into practical measures that support families, protect children from exploitation and uphold their dignity and rights.
He concluded by stressing that families, educators and public institutions share responsibility for protecting the digital environment in which children learn, communicate and develop.
