A recent episode of the online reality show Lazawal Ishq has triggered widespread criticism online after an intimate moment between two participants was shown on screen.

 

A male contestant named Junaid can be seen speaking about his late mother while another participant named Jannat, listens and becomes emotional. As she began to cry, Junaid hugged her to comfort her, kissed her on the head multiple times, and held her for a while.

 

The clip, taken from the show’s 14th episode, quickly spread across social media platforms, where many users called it inappropriate in the conservative country. Dozens of posts appeared on X and Instagram condemning the moment and questioning why such content was being broadcast.

 

One viewer wrote, “I don’t understand why people are watching this crap?” Another user commented, “Such pathetic things are getting common day by day in these stupid Pakistani shows. We should not watch these useless shows.” Several users demanded that the show be banned entirely, arguing that it was against local norms and values.

 

The show, filmed in Turkey, features four men and four women living together in a single villa as they try to find potential partners. Promoted as Pakistan’s first dating reality show, Lazawal Ishq has been controversial since its launch. Its first episode, released on YouTube on September 29, immediately drew criticism for copying Western dating formats and being “un-Islamic.”

 

From its debut, hashtags calling for the ban of Lazawal Ishq have trended on social media, with users saying that the show promotes behaviour inconsistent with Pakistan’s social and cultural environment. Each new episode has continued to face backlash, with viewers accusing the producers of ignoring public sentiment for the sake of online views.

 

The controversy has also drawn responses from celebrities. Actor Mishi Khan criticised the show, saying it went against Pakistani traditions. Fiza Ali also voiced disapproval, warning that such content could negatively influence young viewers.

 

Amid the growing criticism, political and regulatory bodies have been dragged into the discussion. Muhammad Faik Shah, Chairman of the Aman Taraqi Party, has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court demanding action against the show. The petition calls on the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to take notice of the content.

 

In response, PEMRA clarified that because Lazawal Ishq airs exclusively on YouTube, it does not fall under the authority’s jurisdiction. The body stated that its mandate covers content broadcast on licensed television channels, not digital platforms.

Despite repeated public calls for a ban, new episodes continue to be released on YouTube, with each one attracting both criticism and curiosity. The show’s makers have not issued any official response following the latest controversy.

 

The debate around Lazawal Ishq has now expanded beyond entertainment circles, raising broader questions about the limits of content moderation, online regulation, and cultural representation in Pakistan’s growing digital media space.