A woman in Dera Ghazi Khan was tortured to death on Thursday allegedly by a self-proclaimed faith healer attempting to perform an exorcism on her, police said. A case has been registered against the 'faith healer' and his assistant for suspected murder.

Suraya Bibi, 31, was taken to 'faith healer' Amanullah Darkhan's 'healing centre' by relatives who claimed she was under the influence of spirits, family members told Dawn.

During the 'healing treatment', Suraya was beaten, hanged by her feet and burnt by the 'faith healer' and his assistant, her family members said, adding that she was taken to the trauma centre at Ghazi Khan Medical College where she succumbed to her injuries.

Deputy Medical Superintendent Khalid Tahseen at Ghazi Khan Medical College confirmed that Suraya had expired by the time she was brought to the hospital. He said her body was over 80 per cent burned.

The 'healer' and his assistant fled the scene of the crime, and a case was registered against them by police under Section 302/34 of the Criminal Procedure Code.