Black magic practitioner to face 7-year imprisonment, 1 million fine under new law

A new bill introduced in the Senate sought to amend criminal laws related to the prevention of witchcraft, imposing strict penalties on those practicing or advertising black magic.

The bill was presented by Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri in the upper house on Monday.

The motion said that individuals found guilty of practicing or advertising black magic would face imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 7 years and a fine of up to 1 million rupees. 

The offense will be non-bailable, it added.

The bill aimed to prevent witchcraft and related activities, with the proposed amendments targeting black magicians and those who claim to possess supernatural powers.

The legislation sought to curb the exploitation of vulnerable individuals by those practicing magic and witchcraft.

In addition to the anti-witchcraft bill, Senator Samina Mumtaz also introduced a constitutional amendment bill to raise the minimum educational qualification for public office holders, including the President and Prime Minister, to a graduate degree. 

The bill proposed that all federal and provincial ministers, as well as the Governor, Chief Minister, and Speaker, should hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent.

Senator Quratulain Marri introduced a bill calling for the inclusion of reproductive health education in middle and high school curricula. 

However, the bill was opposed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Shibli Faraz.