On October 10, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) received a constitution petition regarding the reality show ‘Lazawal Ishq,’ hosted by Ayesha Omar, with allegations of promoting obscene and immoral content. The petition was filed by Muhammad Faiq Shah, Chairperson of Aman Taraqqi Party, citing that the show’s content opposes religious and cultural values by showcasing obscenity and moral corruption, particularly influencing the country’s youth.
The petitioner has urged the court to instruct the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to enforce stricter monitoring of “immoral” content on digital platforms. Additionally, guidance from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) was sought to assess the compliance of the show with Islamic and moral standards.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir of the IHC presided over the hearing, during which notices were issued to several bodies, including the federal government, PTA, PEMRA, CII, and the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The respondents have been directed to submit their replies concerning the allegations made in the petition.
‘Lazawal Ishq,’ inspired by the Turkish reality show ‘Ask Adasi,’ features men and women living together in a villa, seeking partners and engaging in various challenges, with their interactions broadcast to the public. This format has stirred significant public and media debate regarding its appropriateness within the Pakistani cultural context.
PEMRA has previously acknowledged receiving multiple complaints against the show, which is not licensed for television broadcast in Pakistan but is available on digital platforms like YouTube. The regulatory body highlighted its limited jurisdiction over content not broadcast on traditional TV channels.
In response to the controversy, Ayesha Omar defended the show on social media, describing it as an innovative project for Urdu audiences and emphasizing the focus on drama, romance, and competition among all-Pakistani contestants.
The petition, represented by advocate Mian Asif Mahmood, positions this legal action as the beginning of a “moral revolution,” aimed at safeguarding Pakistan’s religious and cultural essence. The court’s decision to issue notices marks a critical step in addressing the concerns raised by the petition about the influence of digital content on societal values.
