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Abstract
The history of mental health law in Pakistan has been one of institutional neglect, which has changed to a phase of slow legal acceptance and reform. In the past, mental illness was under the old colonial law that provided little protection to the mentally ill and had no contemporary way of treatment. With the introduction of the Mental Health Ordinance 2001, the first step to change was made, although its enforcement was still minimal. A greater change was in the provincial mental health acts that followed the 18th Amendment and recognized mental illness as a health matter of community concern, and were focused on patient rights, consent, and community-based care. Pakistan, though, is still experiencing massive problems such as poor enforcement, lack of sufficient resources, stigma in the society, and lack of access to mental health services despite these developments. However, the study critically reflects on the neglected and findings of the currently existing mental health laws.