All episodes of Pakistan’s Love-Island-style dating show Lazawal Ishq, hosted by Ayesha Omar, have been removed from its YouTube channel. In a statement on its official Instagram page, the show explained that it may be unavailable in Pakistan due to “political reasons” and suggested viewers use virtual private networks (VPNs) to continue watching.
Filmed in Istanbul, the reality series features eight Pakistani men and women living together in a shared villa. Modeled after international dating shows like Love Island, it is adapted from the Turkish reality program Aşk Adası.
Prior to its removal in Pakistan, Lazawal Ishq had aired 50 episodes. While short clips remain on the channel, full episodes are no longer accessible locally, though the show can still be watched in other regions. YouTube has not responded to inquiries about the restriction.
The show’s trailer features Ayesha Omar arriving at the villa in white, introducing contestants tasked with choosing partners and exploring compatibility over a planned 100-episode season.
The series faced backlash on social media, with critics accusing it of promoting “immoral and obscene” content, a criticism often directed at public figures seen as challenging conservative norms. Responding to the criticism, Ayesha Omar clarified on Instagram that the show is produced in Turkey, not Pakistan, even though Pakistani audiences could access it.
The controversy intensified when a petition was submitted to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), seeking a ban on the grounds that the show violated cultural and religious norms by depicting unmarried men and women living together. PEMRA confirmed receiving multiple complaints but noted that it does not regulate content on digital platforms.
In recent controversies, Zahid Ahmed Terms ‘Lazawal Ishq’ a Threat to Social Values
