GUJRANWALA: A 15-year-old boy suffered critical burn injuries on Monday after a ‘faith healer’ suggested he walk across burning coals in an attempt to exorcise him.

The boy was shifted to the DHQ hospital in a critical condition where senior doctors referred him to the Mayo Hospital Lahore for further treatment.

Nasir, a resident of Khiali, was allegedly suffering from a mental disease for some years. His relatives advised his parents to consult a faith healer, Yasmeen, for treatment. The ‘faith healer’ told Nasir’s parents that he was possessed and must walk across burning coals to be exorcised.

Nasir’s father Waris told Dawn that as soon as his son started walking across the coals he fell down on them. He was shifted to DHQ hospital where senior doctors provided him first aid and referred him to Mayo Hospital for further treatment.

Civil society representatives Attique Yousaf Zia, Prof Shahzad Lawrence, Chaudhry Shahid, Muhammad Israel and Muhammad Mushtaq Cheema condemned the incident. While talking to Dawn, they emphasised that the government should take necessary steps to eradicate this social evil.

Senior Superintendent of Police Nadeem Khokhar told Dawn that police had arrested the “fake faith healer”, Yasmeen, and were investigating the incident.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2017