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Malik Ayub Sumbal is Senior Broadcaster, Political Commentator, and Media Consultant. Malik has been associated with world-leading media outlets and news channels. He has more than 18 years of experience while working on key editorial positions. Malik was President at the Consortium for Press Freedom (CPF), a leading organization working for the Press Freedom and Free Speech around the world.

Quacks make killing with ‘cheap cures’

Pakistan Government is keen to get rid of this menace, official says

A common practice in Pakistan is to go to the quacks for medication rather than a qualified physician. Subsequently the results of such treatments are devastating, because these so-called experts sitting on the pavements create havoc for patients.

According to the facts and figures provided by the government there are over 14,000 quacks practising illegally to treat various diseases throughout the country. But the actual number of these quacks exceeded an alarming 35,000, which is even more than the total registered number of qualified doctors in Pakistan.

The treatments on offer range from cures for diseases of the ear, nose, teeth, skin and genital areas.

Some claim they are experts in treating major and minor fractures.

This correspondent went to Raja Bazaar, a downtown area of Rawalpindi city in Punjab to find out more about their method of treatment – which as per experts is a major cause of spreading diseases.

Malik Ayub Sumbal is an Award-Winning journalist, Geopolitical Analyst, Commentator & Moderator. He is the author of his newly published book Tovuz to Karabakh, A Comprehensive Analysis of War in South-Caucasus. He tweet @ayubsumbal