Karachi Police Uncover Child Abduction Network Exploiting Minors for Begging

Download IPFS

On July 20, 2025, Karachi police dismantled a child kidnapping syndicate exploiting minors for street begging, exposing the dark underbelly of human trafficking in Pakistan’s largest city. The operation led to the rescue of a three-year-old boy and the arrest of a key suspect, highlighting the urgent need for stronger measures to protect vulnerable children from criminal networks.

The breakthrough came when Nasser, the uncle of three-year-old Hussain, spotted the boy begging with a stranger in Shah Latif Town, two months after his abduction. “I saw my missing nephew with a beggar after prayers,” Nasser told police (Pakistan Today, July 20, 2025). Hussain had vanished while buying snacks, a case that had left his family desperate. The suspect, Shehryar, was apprehended and confessed to earning 2,000 to 3,000 rupees daily by forcing the child to beg. Police revealed Shehryar was part of a larger gang abducting children to exploit them in Karachi’s streets, a tactic that preys on public sympathy for profit.

This discovery follows a similar bust in Hyderabad, where the Human Rights Cell of the Hyderabad Police arrested 16 suspects in May 2025 for using abandoned children to beg. Inspector Maria Sario noted, “The suspects had no legal custody of the children” (The Express Tribune, May 4, 2025). In Karachi, authorities are now intensifying efforts to identify other gang members, with investigations pointing to a well-organized network. The case underscores a growing crisis, as urban centers like Karachi become hubs for child trafficking, fueled by poverty and lax oversight.

The police response signals a commitment to tackling this heinous crime, but systemic challenges remain. Strengthening law enforcement coordination and public awareness is critical to dismantling such rackets. As Karachi grapples with this scourge, the government must prioritize child protection policies and crack down on those exploiting the most vulnerable. This latest bust serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and decisive action to ensure no child falls victim to such predatory schemes.