Punjab lawmaker proposes ban on beard styling, calls for penalties on barbers

LAHORE: A resolution was presented in the Punjab Assembly, calling for a nationwide ban on beard styling and design, sparking a fresh debate on the balance between religious values and individual freedoms.

Rukhsana Kausar urged the federal government to take immediate steps to outlaw beard styling across the country and punish both those who maintain such grooming and those who perform it.

According to resolution, growing beard in its natural form is a sacred Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). She argued that trimming, shaping, or creatively styling beards is an act of disrespect toward this religious tradition and amounts to a grave sin in Islam.

The document claims that modern beard trends are not only contrary to Islamic teachings but also promote a culture that undermines religious identity. The resolution sparked discussion on role of religion in public policy, the right to personal appearance, and the extent of state control over cultural and religious expression.

No decision has been made yet, but the issue is expected to be debated further in the assembly. Civil society members and rights groups voiced concern over potential implications for personal freedom, arguing that grooming preferences fall within the realm of individual choice.