The suspect, identified as Shabbir, was arrested on Thursday after investigators uncovered more than 200 videos of child abuse from his possession.

According to police, Shabbir, a resident of Abbottabad who moved to Karachi in 2011, initially ran a stationery shop where he lured young girls with cash before taking them to his home and assaulting them.

In 2016, after shifting to Qayyumabad, he set up a juice stall and continued targeting children, offering money or small rewards to boys and girls aged between five and twelve.

A diary recovered from the suspect’s possession contained the names and details of several victims.

Forensic examination of his devices revealed over 100 videos on his mobile phone and more than 200 videos stored on a USB drive.

Officials described the content as resembling “dark web-style” material.

The court approved his five-day remand as investigators expand their probe, with police warning that the number of victims could be much higher than currently documented.

Authorities have termed the case one of the most disturbing child abuse scandals in Karachi in recent years, stressing the urgent need for stronger safeguards for children in vulnerable communities.