Today marked the launch of ‘Katalyst’: an AI-enabled technology that will support the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in their investigations into online child sexual exploitation and abuse in Pakistan. The introduction of the technology was a result of the partnership between the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control and the UK-Pakistan Serious Crime and Law Enforcement (UPSCALE) Programme, funded by the British High Commission. The system was launched by the Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control, Talal Chaudhry; the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott; and the Director General of the NCCIA, Syed Khurram Ali.
Every year, Pakistan receives nearly one million referrals of suspected child abuse material from technology companies via the United States National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The deployment of AI will enable NCCIA to review all incoming referrals of suspected online child abuse and identify and prioritise the most urgent cases for investigation.
Speaking at the event, Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) highlighted the importance of taking a whole-of-government approach to online child sexual exploitation and abuse. She highlighted NCRC’s role in partnering with social media platforms, raising awareness and advancing a holistic national policy to address online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Syed Khurram Ali, Director General of NCCIA, emphasised that protecting children from online harm is a core priority for the agency. Since its establishment in April 2025, NCCIA has handled a high volume of cybercrime reports. He welcomed support from the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control and the British High Commission in the deployment of AI to significantly increase NCCIA’s capacity to review NCMEC referrals, from around 1,200 to over 100,000 per month.
The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, highlighted that online child abuse is a global issue that transcends borders. She noted that child protection is a core UK priority at home and overseas, and emphasised the value of the UK-Pakistan partnership in safeguarding children in both countries. While recognising the role that technology has played in cases of child abuse and exploitation, she stressed that tools like Katalyst show how AI can be used for good, reaffirming the “UK’s commitment to work closely with Pakistan to protect children, disrupt criminal networks, and make the digital world safer”.
Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control, Talal Chaudhry, appreciated the efforts of the NCCIA and the British High Commission in improving the country’s response to online child abuse and exploitation. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to building the NCCIA’s capacity to respond to emerging challenges, emphasising the importance of aligning policy and institutional reforms with technological developments. Closing the ceremony, he said, “Protecting children from online exploitation is a national responsibility. The deployment of artificial intelligence at NCCIA reflects the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to modernising law enforcement and ensuring that perpetrators of online child abuse are identified and brought to justice.”
