KARACHI, May 13: The issue of fake faith-healers luring simple people to their trap echoed in the Sindh Assembly on Friday when a member drew attention of the chair to the mushroom growth of such ‘Pirs and Amils’ having resorted to massive publicity of their illegal business through widespread hoardings, wall-chalking and other means of advertising.

With special reference to the recent tragic incident where a man killed his children in Karachi, Ms Bilqees Mukhtar of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement spoke on a point of order telling the house that the trend was becoming a menace and some action had to be taken to prevent simple people from ‘sacrificing’ their children or others.

She urged the law minister and home minister to impose a strict ban in this regard and take action against fake Pirs and Amils who, she said, were equally responsible for the heinous crimes committed by their followers.

Bano Saghir from the treasury benches demanded protection to Saira Shaikh whose lands in Shikarpur had allegedly been taken over by certain influential people through fake documents. She said that the victim was being subjected to threats by these people.

Senior PPP leader Syed Qaim Ali Shah protested over the registration of a case against Nazim of Mirpurkhas district Syed Shafqat Shah Jillani. He regretted that a case had been registered against the nazim and 20 others when Mr Jillani arrived in Mirpurkhas and was accorded warm welcome.