Islamabad, September 17, 2025 – In a swift move to quell rising public outcry, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has confirmed that Ayesha Omar’s highly anticipated reality dating series Lazawaal Ishq will not grace any licensed television screens.
The clarification comes amid a storm of online complaints and speculation that the show, Pakistan’s first Urdu-language venture into the genre, might breach cultural boundaries on mainstream TV.
PEMRA’s statement, posted on its official X account, emphasized that the program is exclusively designed for social media platforms and falls outside the regulator’s oversight for broadcast television. “Lazawal Ishq is a content broadcast on social media platforms. This program is not being broadcast on any TV channel licensed by Pemra.
Pemra rules apply to TV channels licensed by Pemra,” the authority stated, addressing a flood of concerns from viewers who feared the show’s romantic format could violate Islamic values and traditional norms.
The controversy erupted shortly after Omar, the charismatic actress known for her roles in Bulleh Shah and Parizaad, teased the series on social media last week. Shot against the stunning backdrop of Istanbul’s Bosphorus, Lazawaal Ishq (Eternal Love) draws inspiration from global hits like Turkey’s Aşk Adası and the UK’s Love Island.
Lazawaal Ishq Teaser
The teaser features Omar gliding across the water before unveiling a luxurious villa where eight Pakistani contestants—four men and four women—will navigate drama, rivalries, and romance in pursuit of a winning couple.
Omar, speaking from Istanbul, defended the project as a “groundbreaking step for Urdu-speaking audiences worldwide.” In an earlier interview, she clarified that the show would premiere on YouTube, not TV, highlighting its appeal to a global diaspora. “It’s a first of its kind for Pakistani and Urdu-speaking viewers.
There were many candidates [for host], and I feel grateful I was selected. The show has Pakistani participants… all about love—and there will be a winning couple,” she shared, promising a mix of glamour, competition, and heartfelt moments.
Public reaction has been polarized. While supporters hail it as a bold evolution in Pakistani entertainment, critics have launched boycott campaigns and trending hashtags, decrying the concept as “un-Islamic” and culturally insensitive. PEMRA acknowledged receiving “multiple complaints” but reiterated its limited jurisdiction over digital content, leaving the show’s fate to online platforms.
As Lazawaal Ishq gears up for its YouTube debut—though an exact premiere date remains unconfirmed—the series is already redefining boundaries for reality TV in Pakistan. Will it capture hearts or fuel further debate? Viewers worldwide will soon decide.
Myself Aditya and I am from Mumbai, India. As an intern, I joined the local news agency in Mumbai named “The Mumbai News”. Now I am working with various News Agencies and I provide them reports from Mumbai and other parts of India.
