Faith is deeply woven into the social and cultural life of South Asia. Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Sufi traditions, shrine culture and other spiritual traditions have provided generations of people with faith, community, charity, moral guidance and hope. Genuine religious and spiritual teachers have earned respect through their teachings, service and personal conduct.
This article is not a criticism of any religion, religious institution or genuine spiritual tradition. Its purpose is much narrower: to examine how certain individuals may misuse religious or spiritual authority to exploit vulnerable people for financial, sexual or other criminal purposes. Such cases should be treated as matters of individual accountability and ordinary law, not as a reflection on an entire faith or community.
People who seek spiritual help are often dealing with genuine difficulties—illness, bereavement, infertility, family problems, financial hardship, loneliness or emotional distress. These circumstances can make people particularly vulnerable to anyone promising miraculous healing, supernatural solutions or guaranteed answers. A person who deliberately exploits such vulnerability is abusing trust.
Warning signs can include demands for unusually large payments, pressure to surrender property, promises of guaranteed cures, demands for unquestioning obedience, attempts to isolate followers from family members, discouragement of legitimate medical treatment, threats of spiritual punishment, or requests for inappropriate private meetings or physical contact.
Financial exploitation can take many forms. In some reported cases, individuals presenting themselves as spiritual healers have allegedly demanded money for amulets, prayers, healing, exorcism or other services. Such practices should not be confused with legitimate charitable donations, religious offerings or voluntary contributions. The concern arises when religious or spiritual claims are allegedly used to deceive, coerce or financially exploit people.
Sexual exploitation is an especially serious abuse of spiritual trust. A person who presents himself or herself as a healer, pir, baba or spiritual guide may be given unusual access to vulnerable followers. Where allegations of sexual abuse arise, they must be investigated properly and victims must be treated with dignity. At the same time, an allegation must remain an allegation until established through the legal process.
India has witnessed several high-profile criminal cases involving self-styled spiritual leaders. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted in 2017 of raping two female followers and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Asaram Bapu was convicted in a rape case involving a minor and sentenced to life imprisonment. These are cases concerning specific individuals and should not be interpreted as evidence against Hinduism, Sikhism, Sufism, Islam or any other religious tradition.
The same principle applies in Pakistan. Pakistan has a long and respected tradition of Islamic scholarship, Sufism, shrines and spiritual practice. Individual criminal cases involving people who allegedly misuse such traditions should therefore be discussed carefully and on the basis of documented police investigations, court proceedings or convictions.
For example, in Lahore in 2026, Pakistani authorities reportedly arrested a man identified as Hafiz Ali Ahmad in connection with allegations involving online spiritual-healing services, sexual exploitation and blackmail. According to the reported investigation, he allegedly used social-media platforms to offer spiritual services and targeted vulnerable people. These are allegations arising from an investigation and should not be treated as established facts beyond what has been determined by the competent authorities or courts.
In another Pakistani case, police in Bhakkar reportedly arrested a man identified as Allah Bakhsh, also known as Kala Peer, following allegations of sexual exploitation and blackmail. Again, the allegations should be attributed to the police and investigators, and the legal process should be allowed to determine responsibility.
A separate case reported from Rawalpindi involved a man identified as Pir Khurram, who was arrested following allegations made by a woman who had reportedly sought spiritual treatment. The allegations were serious, but an arrest itself does not establish guilt. Such cases must be judged through due process and the courts.
There have also been Pakistani cases resulting in convictions. In one Karachi case, Abdul Haq was sentenced to 14 years in prison after a court convicted him of sexually assaulting a teenage girl while presenting himself as someone capable of transferring spiritual powers. This case demonstrates why claims of spiritual authority cannot place anyone above ordinary criminal law.
The important distinction is simple: an allegation is not a conviction, an arrest is not proof of guilt, and the alleged criminal conduct of an individual does not make an entire religious tradition responsible.
Families should also remember that genuine spiritual guidance does not require blind obedience. People should be encouraged to maintain healthy relationships with their families, seek appropriate medical and professional assistance when necessary, ask reasonable questions and make financial decisions without coercion.
Children deserve particular protection. Parents should not assume that a religious or spiritual environment automatically guarantees safety. Any organisation caring for children should have appropriate safeguarding procedures, responsible supervision and mechanisms through which concerns can be reported independently.
The financial affairs of religious and charitable organisations should also be handled responsibly. Where substantial donations are collected, transparency, proper accounting and accountable management can help protect both donors and the reputation of the organisation.
The central issue, therefore, is not religion. It is the misuse of trust.
Genuine spiritual teachers should not be judged by the actions of criminals who happen to use religious language, titles, clothing or institutions. Likewise, people who expose fraud and abuse should not be portrayed as attacking faith simply because they are questioning the conduct of an individual claiming spiritual authority.
The best protection against exploitation is awareness. Families should look carefully at claims of miraculous powers, demands for money, pressure to surrender property, attempts to isolate followers, inappropriate personal demands and discouragement of legitimate healthcare. Serious allegations should be reported to the appropriate authorities rather than handled through rumours or vigilantism.
People who have been exploited should not be blamed for having trusted someone. Vulnerability is not foolishness, and seeking spiritual comfort during difficult times is not a weakness. The responsibility lies with anyone who deliberately abuses that trust.
Ultimately, protecting people from religious or spiritual exploitation is not a fight against faith. It is a defence of the right of ordinary believers to practise their faith safely and freely. It is also a defence of genuine religious and spiritual traditions whose reputation can be damaged when individuals misuse them for personal power, money or criminal purposes.
Faith is precious. That is precisely why it should never become a licence for exploitation.
Editorial Note: Allegations involving identifiable individuals should be checked against the latest police statements, court records and reputable published reports before publication. Arrests and allegations should not be presented as convictions, and the legal status of each case should be updated at the time of publication.
Disclaimer: This article and accompanying images are for informational and illustrative purposes only. Some visuals may be AI-generated or digitally enhanced and may not depict actual events or persons.Views expressed are based on publicly available information and analysis