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#Videocrux - Pakistan's sacred 'rat people' Pakistan's sacred 'rat people'
Pakistan’s worsening economy is forcing many children onto the streets and into the hands of begging mafias. The gangs are prepared to pay especially high prices for youngsters with a genetic disability, who are considered by locals to be sacred.
Worshipers cling to an ancient fertility rite
Nadia takes money from worshipers who cling to an ancient fertility rite. She is one of hundreds of young beggars here who are microcephalics. The belief is that "rat children" are sacred.
Begging mafias on the look out for "rat people"
Pir Nasiruddaula, "Now these begging mafias are on the look-out. They roam the villages and if the real chuha is born they give them some money and they take them."
Demand for children to be turned into beggars
Officials warns the chuhas are symptomatic of the country’s 100,000 or so beggars. These children have been rescued from begging mafias. But as the economy dramatically worsens demand for children is running high.

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