The law-enforcing authorities should impose heavy penalties as a punishment to those who mislead people
HYDERABAD: Superstition in Pakistan goes a long way. The need to depend or seek guidance from someone, usually touted as a ‘saviour’ or a ‘messiah’, is so widespread that some even rely on such ‘pirs’ to cure their illness rather than consulting a doctor. This is why show after show on television have been aired to reveal the truth behind some of these fake pirs, exposing their corrupt ways.
Considering this rampant culture of having a pir to help you through life’s tragedies, the recent news of a fake pir allegedly defrauding a widow doesn’t come as a surprise. The fake pir had defrauded the woman out of over Rs10 million to perform an exorcism, investment and other expenses, over the span of three years. In some cases, the fake pirs go as far as to sexually harass their so-called devotees, especially women, by creating false misconceptions about how it would benefit them in return. Our newspapers too are filled with many such stories.
Just a month ago, the news of a fake pir in Sargodha, who was also the custodian of a shrine, intoxicating and killing 20 of his devotees left us appalled. But despite many such incidents, from a fake pir raping a 14-year-old to one torturing a child, neither the false faith healers nor the people seeking guidance stop this nuisance of misplaced superstition and the need to find someone to treat your miseries.
Although the people are much to blame, the government and the authorities concerned should also draw up a mechanism to stop this culture from growing, further discouraging such activities. The law-enforcing authorities should impose heavy penalties as a punishment to those who mislead people, while the followers should also be held responsible, making them liable to pay a penalty as well.
Waseem Bilal
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2017.
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