Zanjani family moved its astrology practice to YouTube and reached 650,000 subscribers

The Zanjani family had published Pakistan's first occult-sciences magazine in the 1940s, and its Aina-e-Qismat magazine still circulated at only 1,200–1,500 copies a month. The practice also operated in a difficult environment: economic and political uncertainty increased demand for reassurance, while Islamic scholars criticized astrology as heterodox or idolatrous.

After studying graphic design and working on a Pakistani television astrology show, Syed Muhammad Ali Zanjani decided to take the family practice into the digital age. He launched his channel in 2016 and immediately used Facebook Live, starting with a sheet of paper taped to the wall showing a call-in number. The improvised first broadcast was a hit, so the channel became the practice's principal communications vehicle.

By September 2024, AQ TV Knowledge for All had more than 650,000 subscribers and offered daily horoscopes, instruction and call-in livestreams. YouTube advertising itself was weak for Pakistani views, but the channel promoted readings and related services: Zanjani reported 50–300 phone clients in a typical week, with sessions priced at 15,000–35,000 rupees depending on the client's location.

AQ TV Knowledge for All grew to over 650,000 subscribers and fed 50–300 paid phone clients a week, with readings priced at 15,000–35,000 rupees.

The family's monthly magazine reached only 1,200–1,500 readers, leaving a large gap between legacy credibility and public reach.

YouTube offered a cheap way to reach people living with economic, political and environmental uncertainty.

A public channel gave Zanjani room to argue that astrology belonged within Islamic tradition while answering critics directly.

Weak local YouTube ad rates made client acquisition and paid readings more valuable than relying on platform advertising.

A legacy practice can use a low-cost digital channel to turn hard-to-scale expertise into recurring reach and paid service demand, even when platform advertising pays poorly.

The magazine continued publishing, but the center of gravity moved to AQ TV and a wider social-media presence that also included Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. The family practice kept its in-person prayer hall, readings and product business while using the digital audience to sustain a steady flow of consultations.