The social media-based program ‘Lazawal Ishq’ has been formally challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), escalating a public debate into a legal battle over its controversial content. The petition, submitted by Aman Taraqqi Party Chairman Faiq Shah, alleges the show promotes obscenity and is detrimental to the nation’s social and ethical fabric.

The court has assigned a diary number to the legal plea, which contends that the show’s content is causing moral degradation within society. Shah has requested judicial intervention to compel the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to implement strict oversight of material broadcast on digital platforms.

In his petition, Shah further urged the court to seek guidance from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) to assess the religious and moral implications of such programming. The federal government, PTA, PEMRA, CII, and the National Cyber Crime Investigation (NCCI) have all been named as respondents in the case.

This legal move follows a clarification issued last month by PEMRA, which stated that it lacked direct jurisdiction over the matter. According to the media watchdog, since ‘Lazawal Ishq’ is not aired on any licensed television channel and is available exclusively on social media, it falls outside of its regulatory purview.

Hosted by renowned actress Ayesha Omar, ‘Lazawal Ishq’ is a unique Urdu-language reality series filmed in scenic tourist locations across Turkey. A teaser shared by Omar on her Instagram account depicted her on a yacht and entering a luxurious villa, which serves as the central venue for the show.

The program’s format involves eight participants-four men and four women-living together in the villa under constant camera surveillance. The multi-episode series is expected to feature various challenges, with the ultimate goal of selecting a winning couple.

Since its promotional clips were released, the show has ignited a widespread debate online. Many social media users have condemned the program, asserting that its values do not align with Pakistani cultural and religious norms. Critics argue that such reality shows endorse a Western lifestyle that could negatively influence the country’s youth, with many demanding an outright ban.

In response to the growing calls for censorship, Ayesha Omar had previously remarked, ‘My mother liked ‘Lazawal Ishq’ – that’s what matters to me.’