Pakistan: Zindagi TV Channel Withdraws Drama Serial "Barzakh" from YouTube

Backlash over Depiction of Queer Love

Islamabad, Pakistan - August 6, 2024

In the wake of significant backlash over the depiction of queer love, the Zindagi TV channel has announced that it will voluntarily withdraw its drama serial "Barzakh" from YouTube Pakistan effective August 9, 2024.

The series, featuring Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, drew widespread criticism for its portrayal of a same-sex relationship, a topic deemed sensitive in the conservative Pakistani society.

"But in light of the current public sentiment in Pakistan, we have made the decision to voluntarily withdraw Barzakh from YouTube Pakistan," said a spokesperson for Zindagi TV.

The decision to withdraw the series has been met with mixed reactions. Some viewers have expressed support for Zindagi's move, while others have condemned the censorship.

Pakistan remains a deeply conservative society where same-sex relationships are illegal and widely stigmatized. The withdrawal of "Barzakh" from YouTube Pakistan highlights the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the country.