WE raise our voice today with utmost humility and deep concern to the highest authorities in Pakistan—Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz.
There exists in Gujrat, a tragic and haunting reality that demands immediate attention and bold action. Behind the spiritual facade of the shrine of Shah Doula lies one of the most disturbing and persistent forms of exploitation in our country.
For decades, a disturbing belief has prevailed: couples who struggle with infertility visit this shrine to seek divine blessings. If blessed with a child, they are told that they must offer their firstborn to the shrine as a token of gratitude. But what follows is not a sacred life of service,it is a descent into helplessness and misery. These children, known as Shah Doula’s Choohe, are robbed of their identity and future. In some cases, it is alleged that iron rings are placed around their heads at a young age to deform their skulls and stunt their mental growth. Whether by birth or design, these children are left with severe disabilities and then pushed into a life of begging.
They are paraded through streets, subjected to ridicule and exploited by mafias who control and profit from their suffering. These children are not orphans of fate, they are victims of a system that has operated in plain sight for far too long. This practice is not a tradition to be respected, nor is it a religious act to be glorified. It is a serious violation of human dignity and a criminal offence under Pakistani law. According to Section 374 of the Pakistan Penal Code, forced or compulsory labour, especially involving minors, is a punishable crime. Yet, the practice continues. The abusers operate with impunity. The victims are abandoned.
We appeal to those in power to act now and end this cruelty. A high-level and independent inquiry must be initiated into the affairs of the shrine. All children currently living under these conditions must be rescued, medically examined, and given the care and support they deserve. Those responsible for this exploitation, no matter their position, must be held accountable. The state must establish rehabilitation centres and safe shelters for these children and launch public awareness campaigns to expose and end the dangerous superstitions that keep this cycle alive.
This is a test not just of law and governance but of humanity. Pakistan can not call itself a just and compassionate nation while this continues. The suffering of these children must not be met with silence or delay. Let this become the moment when the leadership of the country turned pain into policy and despair into justice.
And to those entrusted with power, know that your action today will not only bring peace and relief to the most helpless among us but will be remembered beyond the records of this world. Saving a life, standing up for the voiceless, breaking the chains of cruelty. These are acts that earn reward not only in this life but also in the life after death. The cries are real. The time is now.
—The writer is former Regional Executive Inclusive Development at NBP, Mirpur AK.
(aahmadofpaswal@yahoo.com)
