Man slits own throat on faith-healer's advice in Chiniot

CHINIOT: A young man was rushed to the hospital on Friday after he reportedly slit his own throat on the advice of a self-claimed 'spiritual faith-healer' in Punjab's Chiniot district.

According to reports, the victim identified as Nawaz was rushed to the Allied Hospital Faisalabad in critical condition while the fake peer (faith-healer) disappeared following the incident. According to police, a search for the self-claimed faith-healer has been initiated.

Family members took Nawaz, who belongs to Chiniot's Tarkhan Mohalla, to the peer after he complained that he was not feeling well.

The faith-healer reportedly started 'his treatment' of Nawaz and said that he was under the influence of djins and evil spirits.

Last night, the victim's health deteriorated and the healer was called to the victim's home where he suggested that Nawaz should slit his throat to set free an 'invisible evil spirit' that was strangling him.

Nawaz followed the fake peer's advice, after which the self-claimed healer escaped from the spot. Police upon receiving the news, reached the area and began a search for the fake faith healer.

Spiritual faith-healing is a widespread practice especially in Pakistan, where superstitious family members often take relatives with mental illnesses to self-claimed faith-healers for warding off evil spells and curses.