A dating show modeled on Love Island that features Pakistani contestants has sparked anger in the Muslim-majority country, even before any episodes have aired and while the series is available only on YouTube. The country's broadcasting regulator said Saturday it could not act on public complaints because it has no authority over streaming platforms. Lazawal Ishq, or Eternal Love, is hosted by Pakistani actress Ayesha Omar and filmed in Istanbul. Adapted from the Turkish format, Aşk Adası, and resembling the Love Island franchise, it brings together four Pakistani men and women in a luxury villa where their interactions are filmed.
In Pakistan, extra-marital relationships are illegal, and there are stigmas around dating. Last week, Omar shared a teaser of her cruising along the Bosporus before welcoming contestants into the villa. The promo quickly drew criticism online, with detractors labeling the format 'un-Islamic' and accusing it of copying Western culture.
Muhammad Tahir, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, said Saturday that the program was neither being broadcast on mainstream media nor on any television channel licensed by the authority. "It does not fall within our domain," Tahir told the Associated Press. "We do not regulate YouTube, and this content is not from any television channel. The general public is not aware that YouTube lies outside our regulatory scope."
The host, Omar, told the Pakistan-based Fashion Times magazine last week that the project was "a first of its kind for Pakistani and Urdu-speaking viewers." She said the show would feature "love, bonding, and competition," with audiences witnessing "every spark, every fight, and every heartfelt connection." Over the course of 100 episodes, the eight contestants compete in challenges and form alliances until one couple emerges as the winner. Nobody from the show was immediately available for comment. Lazawal Ishq is scheduled to debut on YouTube on September 29.
Noting the show is not on a licensed Pakistani channel, critics say the program underscores broader tensions between Western entertainment formats and conservative norms in Pakistan, where dating is stigmatized and extra-marital relationships are illegal. The controversy also highlights regulatory gaps around streaming platforms, since PEMRA has no authority over platforms such as YouTube. The case illustrates how cross-border, online content can ignite public debate in countries grappling with evolving media landscapes while preserving cultural and religious norms.