Karachi – The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has clarified that Lazawaal Ishq, a new Urdu-language reality dating show hosted by actor Ayesha Omar, will not be broadcast on Pakistani television channels.
In a statement released Tuesday, Pemra said it had received multiple public complaints following an online campaign around the show. The regulator emphasized that the program is being produced exclusively for digital platforms and is not scheduled for transmission on any Pemra-licensed TV outlet. “Pemra rules apply only to licensed TV broadcasters,” the notice read.
The clarification comes after days of speculation about whether the show, modeled on the global reality franchise Love Island (Aşk Adası in Turkish), would transition from online platforms to television.
Omar, speaking earlier to media, confirmed that the series will premiere on YouTube and is designed specifically for Urdu-speaking audiences worldwide. The format involves four men and four women living together in a lavish villa, with their relationships, challenges, and conflicts unfolding over more than 100 episodes. The season will end with the announcement of a “winning couple.”
“You get to follow their journey, see bonds develop, watch tensions rise, and witness who makes it to the finish as the winning pair,” Omar explained, adding that her role as host is aimed at bridging the show’s global format with local viewers.
The show’s teaser, released online, highlights scenic shots of Istanbul’s Bosphorus before shifting to the villa setting, complete with a pool and modern interiors where contestants will compete.
The Turkish hit has previously been adapted into Persian (Eshghe Abadi) and Arabic (Qesma w Naseeb). With Lazawaal Ishq, the franchise is making its debut in Urdu, marking the first time Pakistani audiences will experience the format in their own language.
