In the central Punjab province of Gujrat, hundreds of "rat people" who suffer from enlarged noses and tiny heads due to a genetic defect known as microcephaly are being used by begging mafias who make money exploiting a local fertility legend.
Officials say many of them have been sold off by their families to begging mafias, who exploit a tradition that the "rat children" are sacred offerings to Shah Daula, the shrine's 17th century Sufi saint.
"These are God's children. We are proud to look after her," said Ijaz Hussain, the shrine's government-employed custodian, as Nadia shrieked unintelligibly and put coins in a battered wooden box at her side.
According to local legend, infertile women who pray at Shah Daula's shrine will be granted children, but at a terrible price. The first child will be born microcephalic and must be given to the shrine, or else any further children will have the same deformity.
A crackdown on the exploitation by Pakistan's government has been ongoing, and have plans for a rehabilitation shelter in Gujrat. Medical studies show the recessive trait is kept active due to marrying one's cousin, a common custom in Pakistan.
Source: www.breitbart.com
they dont look like rats lol rats dont have fat noses
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