A new and controversial reality show titled ‘Lazawal Ishq’ is set to make its debut for Pakistani audiences, promising a bold and unfamiliar format for local viewers. Inspired by the popular Turkish show Aşk Adası (Love Island), the program will be hosted by renowned actress and TV personality Ayesha Omar and broadcast exclusively on YouTube.

Billed as a unique entertainment experience for Urdu-speaking viewers, Lazawal Ishq will feature four men and four women living together in a luxurious villa, where their every move will be captured on camera. The show will span 100 episodes, packed with games, challenges, alliances, and eliminations, ultimately leading to the selection of a “winning couple” who will walk away with a prize.

In a teaser shared by Ayesha Omar on her social media, she is seen sailing across the Bosphorus Strait before arriving at a lavish villa complete with spacious rooms and a glamorous swimming pool — the main setting where contestants will spend their time. According to Ayesha Omar, the contestants will “get to know each other through games and challenges and test their fate in the process.”

The show’s format, resembling international reality dating shows such as The Bachelor and Love Island, has stirred significant controversy in Pakistan. While such content is common in Western media, it marks a first for Pakistani digital entertainment, and reactions have been mixed.

Following the release of the teaser, Lazawal Ishq quickly became a trending topic on Pakistani social media — not for praise, but backlash. Many users have criticized the show’s concept as inappropriate for local cultural and religious values. As a result, hundreds of complaints have reportedly been lodged with PEMRA, the country’s media regulatory authority.

In response to the rising public concern, PEMRA issued a press statement, clarifying that the show is being aired on digital platforms only, and is not licensed or broadcast on any PEMRA-registered television channel. Therefore, the regulatory body emphasized, its jurisdiction over the show is limited.

“PEMRA has received several complaints regarding the social media campaign of Lazawal Ishq. However, the program is being streamed on social media platforms and not on any licensed TV channel,” the statement said.

Despite the regulatory clarification, the debate continues, with many calling for stricter oversight of digital content in Pakistan,while others argue that the show represents a new wave of modern entertainment catering to evolving viewer interests.

Whether Lazawal Ishq becomes a cultural breakthrough or a cautionary tale for reality TV in Pakistan remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: it has already succeeded in capturing national attention.

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