The Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) cyber crime wing on Thursday arrested a man posing as a pir (faith healer) for allegedly sexually abusing women and then blackmailing them.

A resident of Haripur, the man is accused of harassing women who approached him for solutions to their problems, the FIA said. He would then use the videos and pictures of the women to blackmail them.

Numerous videos have been found in the accused's possession, the agency said. He was remanded into FIA's physical custody for seven days by a local court after a case was registered against him.

Cases of fake faith healers using their perceived position in society to abuse, blackmail and harass women and men are not uncommon in Pakistan.

Last month, a 'faith healer' was arrested from Gujranwala for subjecting two minor girls to sexual assault.

Opinion

Editorial

Stranded Afghans
Updated 12 Apr, 2025

Stranded Afghans

It is both unfair and dangerous that Afghan people’s immediate well-being has been left entirely to Pakistan to consider.
Peaceful protest
12 Apr, 2025

Peaceful protest

A CONCLAVE of local divines that had gathered in Islamabad on Thursday have made two important points: firstly, that...
Squash hopes
12 Apr, 2025

Squash hopes

IT was a monumental triumph: Noor Zaman came back from the brink to clinch the Under-23 World Squash Championships...
Balochistan outreach
Updated 11 Apr, 2025

Balochistan outreach

Terrorists must be dealt with firmly, but engaging in political activity cannot be equated with terrorism.
PSL season
Updated 11 Apr, 2025

PSL season

The season begins with the national team consistently underperforming and a war of words raging between franchise owners over the PSL’s standing.
Student woes
11 Apr, 2025

Student woes

BRIGHT young Pakistanis face an uncertain future in the US. The Trump administration, not content with merely...