All episodes of Pakistan’s Love-Island style dating show, Lazawal Ishq, hosted by Ayesha Omar, have been removed from the show’s YouTube channel.
In a message shared on its official Instagram page, the show said it may not be viewable in the country due to “political reasons” and suggested that local audiences use virtual private networks (VPNs) to keep watching.
The reality series, filmed in Istanbul, brings together eight Pakistani men and women living in a shared villa. Modeled on international dating formats such as Love Island, the show is adapted from the Turkish reality programme Aşk Adası.
Before its removal in Pakistan, Lazawal Ishq had aired 50 episodes. While short clips remain available on its YouTube channel, full episodes can no longer be accessed locally, though the show is still viewable in other regions.
YouTube did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reason behind the restriction.
The show’s trailer opens with Ayesha Omar arriving at the villa dressed in white, introducing contestants who are tasked with choosing partners and exploring their compatibility over a planned 100-episode run.
Omar soon faced backlash on social media, with critics accusing the programme of promoting “immoral and obscene” content, a reaction increasingly directed at public figures seen as challenging conservative norms.
Responding to the criticism, Ayesha Omar said on Instagram that the series is not a Pakistani production, stressing that it is made in Turkey, even though it is accessible to audiences in Pakistan.
The backlash escalated when a petition was submitted to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), calling for a ban on the grounds that the show violated religious and cultural norms by depicting unmarried men and women living together.
PEMRA confirmed it had received numerous complaints but clarified that it does not regulate content on digital platforms.
