Pakistani actor Zahid Ahmed has strongly criticized the reality show Lazawal Ishq, calling it a program that promotes vulgarity and goes against cultural values. Speaking during a podcast interview, Zahid said he cannot support any project that, in his view, harms the moral standards of society.
He shared that when the show was first announced, he tried to find out who was producing it, but was unable to trace the team behind it. While the show is hosted by actress Ayesha Omar, Zahid said he did not feel the need to ask her about it since he does not personally know her and does not approve of the show’s concept.
Zahid further claimed that the makers of Lazawal Ishq intentionally avoided airing it on television to bypass PEMRA regulations and instead released it on YouTube. He stated that by using Pakistani hosts and participants, the show attempts to appear locally relevant even though its content, according to him, does not represent Pakistani culture.
Lazawal Ishq’s first episode premiered on YouTube on September 29 and immediately faced backlash online. Many social media users accused it of spreading indecency and copying foreign dating show formats. In response, Ayesha Omar defended the show, saying it is not a dating program and is being misunderstood.
Viewers, however, continued to demand a ban. PEMRA later clarified that the show is outside its authority since it is uploaded on digital platforms and not broadcast through television channels.
The controversy around Lazawal Ishq continues to grow as viewers, artists, and social media users debate the limits of creative expression and cultural representation in Pakistan.
