YouTube Removes Pakistani Dating Show "Eternal Love" Amid Conservative Backlash

YouTube has recently suspended a Pakistani dating reality show that transported eight individuals from conservative Pakistan to a vibrant villa in Istanbul, where they engaged in social interactions, flirtations, and pursued romantic connections.

The program "Lazawal Ishq" (Eternal Love), which had completed 50 episodes before its removal from YouTube in Pakistan, became a controversial cultural phenomenon. The show remains accessible to viewers outside Pakistan.

In Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim nation, dating and extramarital relations are prohibited by law, with public displays of affection potentially subject to penalties.

Following a format similar to the popular British series "Love Island," the show pushed boundaries rarely explored in Pakistani entertainment media.

The production team addressed the suspension on Instagram, stating: "Our programme might not be watchable in Pakistan due to political reasons." They suggested Pakistani viewers utilize VPNs to continue following the series.

YouTube has not provided an official response regarding the reason for the show's suspension in Pakistan.

The show features actress Ayesha Omer as host, who enters a luxury villa to introduce contestants tasked with selecting compatible partners for a relationship experiment planned to span 100 episodes.

Omer faced significant online criticism for wearing "Western attire" and hosting content deemed "obscene and immoral" by conservative Pakistani standards.

In response to critics, Omer clarified on Instagram that "this is not a Pakistani show... it is a Turkish production, but of course people in Pakistan can watch it."

Despite controversy, "Eternal Love" gained substantial popularity, with its initial trailer accumulating over two million views, highlighting the growing division between Pakistan's younger, digitally-connected audience and traditional cultural guardians.

One anonymous viewer commented: "It was something fun to watch. A show that showed that people in Pakistan can and do date even though it is frowned upon."

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) received a petition seeking to ban the show for allegedly contradicting "Pakistan's religious and social values by showing unmarried men and women living together."

While PEMRA acknowledged receiving "numerous complaints" about "Eternal Love," they stated they lack jurisdiction over digital platforms and suggested petitioning the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, which oversees online content.

This isn't the first instance of YouTube removing content following conservative backlash in Pakistan. In the previous year, the family drama "Barzakh," which explored themes of love and spirituality, was removed after claims it promoted LGBTQ relationships.