𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡, 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞, 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐮𝐩. 𝐖𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Lahore: The Quackery and Malpractice Committee of K Chapter (a youth body by individuals at Kinnaird College) organized a powerful digital dialogue that dares to confront what many overlook.

Where belief is strong but access is scarce, truth often becomes the first casualty. In many marginalised communities, trust in traditional healers and self-proclaimed practitioners has filled the void left by inaccessible or unaffordable healthcare. But when faith is manipulated and facts are ignored, the consequences can be deadly.

Aim of this digital dialogue was to uncover how deeply embedded cultural beliefs, lack of awareness, and systemic neglect allow quackery to thrive and how communities can be empowered through knowledge, dialogue, and trust in verified care.

First invited speaker was Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani who is a prominent voice for the Hindu community in Pakistan and a tireless advocate for interfaith harmony, social justice, and national unity. Hailing from the vibrant province of Sindh, he serves as the Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, MNA in the Pakistan Peoples Party, and the Chairman of the Dr. Prem Kumar Sital Das Memorial Trust three platforms through which he has continuously worked to uplift marginalized communities and preserve Pakistan’s rich religious diversity.

Second invited speaker was Senator Gurdeep Singh, the first Sikh to be elected as a Senator in the country’s history. Hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, his election is not only a personal milestone but a powerful symbol of inclusivity, representation, and the democratic spirit of Pakistan.

Third invited speaker was Mr. Wazir Zada Kalash, ex- Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Minorities Affairs.

Fourth invited speaker was Rev. Dr. Shirjeel Zafar Ghauri, the Patron-in-Chief of the Christian Lawyers Association of Pakistan (CLAP).

The dialogue was truly a trendsetter when it comes to public health, quackery and faith in the light of policy making. All the speakers highlighted the major issues related to faith-based quackery and the solutions related to it. The dialogue also had an Intractive session where attendees from all walks of life asked questions and speakers gave practical and policy-based answers.