DefinePK

Abstract

Black magic and occult practices are increasingly becoming a serious social and legal concern in Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Despite the growing number of cases and social harms resulting from these practices, there is currently no specific legislation that criminalizes black magic in these regions. This legal vacuum leaves victims without recourse and perpetrators unpunished. In contrast, many Islamic and non-Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the Indian state of Maharashtra ,have enacted comprehensive laws addressing sorcery, fortune-telling, and related offenses, imposing penalties ranging from imprisonment to fines and, in some cases, capital punishment. This paper critically analyzes the absence of such legislation in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, highlighting its inconsistency with both Islamic injunctions and constitutional guarantees of fundamental human rights. The study advocates for urgent legislative reform to criminalize black magic, arguing that it undermines public safety, morality, and core Islamic and legal principles aimed at protecting life, intellect, property, and dignity.