Archive · 19 Jun 2025
Pakistan Debates Law to Regulate Occult Practices
Pakistan is considering a law that could make some spiritual practices illegal.
Some people who offer services like astrology and palm reading are worried because they could be punished.
The government says this law is to stop people from tricking others with fake spiritual help.
Those in the spiritual field say it's hard to define what's real and what's fake, and they worry that the law might unfairly target them.
Some practitioners also disagree with the government controlling spiritual practices, while the government thinks it needs to regulate it.
Pakistan's government is moving to crack down on occult practices, sparking concerns among spiritual practitioners.
A bill approved by the Senate would impose prison terms and fines on those providing vaguely defined supernatural services.
Spiritual practitioners worry that the legislation risks conflating spirituality with fraud and criminality.
Supporters of the bill say it is needed to combat spiritual fraud, citing advertisements for fake services.
Practitioners are wary of how the law might be applied and concerned about the difficulty of policing belief.
- Who
- The Pakistani government, spiritual practitioners, and those offering supernatural services.
- What
- Pakistan is moving to regulate occult practices through a new bill.
- When
- The bill was approved by the Senate in March.
- Where
- Pakistan
- Why
- To combat spiritual fraud and protect people from malpractices.
Spiritual Practitioners' Concerns
Government's Perspective
Regulation of Belief
Spiritual Practitioners' Concerns
Oppose government interference in spiritual practices and fear unfair targeting.
Government's Perspective
The government argues it needs to regulate this area to combat fraud.
- Bill Status
- Passed by Senate, moving to lower house
- Proposed Penalties
- Up to seven years in prison, and thousands of dollars in fines.
- Government Agency
- Ministry of Religious Affairs
- Practitioner Concern
- Difficulty policing belief and conflating spirituality with fraud.