Pakistan Bishop Urges Stronger Action as Child Abuse Cases Rise

Archbishop Joseph Arshad of the Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, which serves Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, and the neighboring city of Rawalpindi in Punjab province, has voiced deep concern over the rising number of child abuse cases in Pakistan, calling for stronger legal action and greater public responsibility to protect children.

In a statement, Archbishop Arshad said child sexual abuse remains a serious and growing crisis in the country. He cited reports showing 3,630 child abuse cases were recorded across Pakistan in 2025, an 8 percent increase from the previous year, averaging more than nine reported cases each day.

According to the data, abduction was the most commonly reported crime, followed by sodomy and rape. Girls accounted for 53 percent of the victims, while children between the ages of 11 and 15 were the most vulnerable.

Archbishop Arshad strongly condemned recent incidents of child abuse reported in different parts of the country, including the case of seven-year-old Muntaha Zahra in Sargodha, a city in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, who was reportedly killed after suffering severe abuse. He also expressed concern over other reported cases in Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, and Swat, a district in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

"Crimes against children are among the gravest violations of human dignity," Archbishop Arshad said, adding that no society can claim to be just or peaceful while its children live in fear and insecurity. He described children as "a sacred trust from God" who deserve the highest level of protection.

The bishop urged the Government of Pakistan, law enforcement agencies, child protection authorities, and the judiciary to ensure swift, transparent, and decisive action against perpetrators. He warned that weak enforcement of laws, negligence, or silence in such cases only encourages further abuse.

Archbishop Arshad also noted that the Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi has dedicated 2026 as the "Year of Children," reaffirming the Church's commitment to promoting children's dignity, protection, education, and holistic development. He said the diocese will continue working with families, schools, parishes, and communities to create safer environments for children.

He also appealed to parents, teachers, religious leaders, the media, and civil society to remain vigilant, educate children about personal safety, and report suspected abuse to the authorities.

"Our beloved children deserve a society where they can live without fear, grow with dignity, and look toward the future with hope," Archbishop Arshad said.