The much-discussed Urdu-language reality dating show Lazawaal Ishq, hosted by Pakistani actor and presenter Ayesha Omar, will not air on television, Pakistan’s top media regulator announced Tuesday. The decision ends days of speculation about whether the controversial programme might make its way onto mainstream broadcast channels.
In a statement posted on social media, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) said it had received numerous public complaints about the show. The authority clarified that Lazawaal Ishq is strictly a digital-first production intended for online streaming. It will not be broadcast on any Pemra-licensed TV channel. The regulator further noted that its jurisdiction only extends to television and radio platforms licensed under Pemra.
The clarification follows a wave of online debate surrounding Omar’s new venture. Critics questioned whether a show with a dating-based format would bypass cultural norms and potentially appear on local television. Pemra’s statement confirmed that such concerns do not apply since the show is not under its broadcast jurisdiction.
Modelled after the widely popular Turkish reality series Aşk Adası, the Urdu-language version will feature eight contestants—four men and four women—living together in a luxury villa for 100 episodes. Their interactions, challenges, and relationships will be documented, with the show culminating in the crowning of the winning couple.
A teaser released online shows Omar against the scenic backdrop of Istanbul’s Bosphorus before she enters the villa, a sleek residence complete with a pool where participants will reside during filming.
The format has been adapted before for Persian and Arabic audiences, but this marks its first entry into the Urdu-language market. Supporters see it as a sign of expanding entertainment options for younger digital audiences in Pakistan, while detractors worry about the influence of foreign-inspired dating shows on local culture.
Omar, who has built a career as both a film and television star, described the project as a bold step in diversifying entertainment content. The actress, best known for her work in drama serials and films, said she hoped the show would bring a fresh approach to reality-based storytelling in Pakistan.
Despite the absence of a television broadcast, Lazawaal Ishq is expected to generate significant online attention. Its release strategy places it alongside other digital-first ventures that have found success by bypassing traditional broadcast restrictions and targeting younger, internet-savvy audiences.
With Pemra’s clarification, the show is now positioned firmly as an online production. It remains to be seen how viewers in Pakistan will respond once the first episodes air digitally.
