Pakistan’s first dating reality show, Lazawal Ishq, premiered on YouTube in late September. It was expected to be a breath of fresh air in the country’s heavily moralised entertainment landscape.
But instead, it has led to a huge storm. Branded as 'Pakistan’s Love Island', the show, that has been shot in Istanbul and hosted by actor Ayesha Omar, has triggered fierce debate about religion, morality, and the ever-tightening space for pop culture in an Islamic Nation still negotiating its relationship with modernity.
At its core, Lazawal Ishq follows a familiar global format: four men and four women live together in a luxury villa, forming connections, confronting heartbreak, and competing for love under the unblinking eye of the camera.
The title literally means 'everlasting love,' but the audience reaction has been anything but affectionate.
Within days of its launch, a petition was filed in the Islamabad High Court seeking a blanket ban on the show, claiming that it 'violates societal values and Islamic ethics' and 'promotes obscenity and moral corruption.'
The petition further urged authorities like PEMRA and PTA to monitor digital platforms and consult the Council of Islamic Ideology on what kind of romantic content is permissible online.
A nation divided between morality and modernity
Social media has since turned into a battleground. On X (formerly Twitter), outrage poured in with moral alarm bells ringing across the timeline. One user wrote:
“Pakistan isn’t a market for dating reality shows tbh. People can barely hold hands in public. #LazawalIshq”
Another added: “Everything I know about Lazawal Ishq was against my will.”
For a segment of Pakistanis, the show symbolises a 'Western cultural invasion.' Many users quoted verses from the Quran, urging producers to 'uphold Islamic values' and not 'sell vulgarity for clicks.'
Hashtags like #BanLazawalIshq and #ProtectOurCulture began trending within 48 hours of the premiere.
Yet, amidst the moral policing, a smaller section of viewers have also defended the show as harmless entertainment.
“PSA: Idk who needs to hear this but please don’t cancel Ishq Lazawal. Someone of us are finding ourselves addicted to that madness. Please leave us alone and stop watching it if you have a problem!!, ”a user wrote.
Host Ayesha Omar, who is considered as one of Pakistan’s most popular and bold actresses, has become both the lightning rod and the shield for the show.
Critics accuse her of 'endorsing Western indecency,' while fans call her brave for 'pushing boundaries in a country stuck in the 1950s.'
Omar, known for her outspoken views on gender equality, has so far been silent on the entire controversy.
Some urban netizens have called Lazawal Ishq a 'cultural embarrassment,' while others labeled it 'Pakistan’s guilty pleasure.'
As the Islamabad High Court takes up the case, Lazawal Ishq continues to stream on YouTube, uninterrupted, unrepentant, and ironically, more watched than ever.
The show’s producers insist that it’s meant to 'explore modern relationships' rather than 'offend traditional beliefs.'
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