The conversion of normal healthy children into the so-called ‘rats of Shah Daulah’ at the shrine of the Sufi saint Shah Daulah in District Gujrat, Pakistan by putting an iron ring over the head of the newly born children to control growth of their heads and minds while allowing rest of the body grows induces microcephaly. According to the tradition, those issue-less parents who come to pray at the shrine vow that if they become fertile, their first-born would be delivered to the shrine administration, so that the rest of their children can grow in their home environment. The first such babies received by the shrine administration undergo the inhuman practice of being forced to be abnormal so that they can be sent for beggary and other abnormal practices and are dubbed the ‘Rats of Shah Daulah’. We see them in green dresses in almost every city and they are reportedly controlled by a mafia of beggars. These children are reportedly abused physically and sexually. Their deformity renders them only useful for begging as they cannot perform any other income activity. 

We urge you to sign this petition in hopes of appealing to the Ministry of Human Rights Pakistan and the Minister Shireen Mazari to take light of this pertinent issue and how the condition of these children violates several legal frameworks and international conventions. We also urge you to spread this petition to as many people as you possibly can and spread awareness on this otherwise heavily ignored issue. 

Thank you!