Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has launched an artificial intelligence–enabled investigative system aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to detect, prioritise and investigate cases of online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The system, named Katalyst, has been developed through a partnership between the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control and the UK-Pakistan Serious Crime and Law Enforcement (UPSCALE) Programme. The initiative is funded by the British High Commission and was formally launched at a ceremony in Islamabad.
The launch event was attended by Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, and NCCIA Director General Syed Khurram Ali.
Speaking at the event, Chaudhry described the protection of children from online exploitation as a “national responsibility,” adding that the adoption of artificial intelligence demonstrated Pakistan’s commitment to modernising law enforcement and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice. He reiterated the government’s pledge to strengthen NCCIA’s capacity, stressing that policy and institutional reforms must keep pace with rapid technological advancements.
Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) Ayesha Raza Farooq called for a “whole-of-government” approach to address the issue. She highlighted the commission’s ongoing collaboration with social media platforms, public awareness initiatives and efforts to develop a comprehensive national policy to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
NCCIA Director General Syed Khurram Ali said safeguarding children from online harm remained a core priority for the agency. He noted that the introduction of AI technology would significantly enhance NCCIA’s ability to process referrals from the US-based National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), increasing the agency’s monthly review capacity from approximately 1,200 cases to more than 100,000.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said online child abuse was a global challenge that transcended national borders, describing child protection as a key priority for the United Kingdom both domestically and internationally. She said Katalyst demonstrated how artificial intelligence could be “used for good” and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to working closely with Pakistan to disrupt criminal networks and make the digital space safer for children.
