The Dark World of Pakistani Black Magic

A fascinating and often surprising journey into the beliefand practice of magic in Pakistan, exploring the country’s myths, legends andfolklore. The supernatural and the religious intertwine to produce a uniquecultural landscape where the holy and the superstitious combine inextricablyand practitioners of both white and black magic gain legitimacy and status fromthe incorporation of Quranic elements in their rituals – from faith healing andprotection to harmful sorcery. Far from an arcane relic of times long past, the practice ofmagic is ubiquitous in Pakistan today and amongst its diaspora across theglobe, constantly changing and adapting to new environments and influences.Neither is the popularity of magic limited to the impoverished or illiterate –belief is widespread regardless of status and education, with a resurgence ininterest from younger people, perhaps disillusioned with modern society andorganised religion and seeking a return to a more natural way of life. The risks of exploitation and abuse from unprincipledcharlatans are commonplace, especially since they are promoted by the media andunregulated by law, but genuine, religiously legitimate practitioners alsoexist and their help is sought by millions, suggesting a deep-seated human needfor connection to the supernatural.