Pakistan’s first reality dating show “Lazawal Ishq” has reportedly been removed from YouTube in Pakistan.
Lazawal Ishq debuted in September on YouTube, despite widespread backlash and calls for a ban. Ayesha Omar’s show, filmed in Turkey, stirred controversy even before its release due to its bold format, which many critics labelled as culturally inappropriate. Nevertheless, the premiere went live on September 29 and quickly racked up views, becoming one of the most talked-about shows in the country.
“Our program might not be watchable in Pakistan due to political reasons,” the show posted on its Instagram page, urging its viewers to use VPN to watch the show.
Lazawal Ishq aired 50 episodes before being taken down from YouTube in Pakistan, although it remains accessible in other regions. While short clips continue to appear on the show’s official YouTube channel, the full episodes are no longer available.
Soon after its release, Omar faced online backlash for hosting a program critics accused of promoting “obscene and immoral content,” reflecting a familiar pattern of criticism directed at public figures who challenge conservative social norms.
Responding to the controversy on Instagram, Omar said the program “is not a Pakistani show,” clarifying that it is a Turkish production, while acknowledging that it remains viewable by audiences in Pakistan.
It is worth mentioning that YouTube did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP regarding the reasons behind the show’s removal.
