Zindagi to remove Barzakh from YouTube Pakistan; Here’s why

ISLAMABAD: In a surprising turn of events, Zindagi has announced that it is pulling its latest series Barzakh from YouTube Pakistan from August 9, here on Tuesday.

As per the details, the decision comes amid criticism surrounding the show, which has been the subject of heated debate for two weeks since its launch.

Barzakh is directed by Asim Abbasi, known for his previous hits Chorales and Cake, which sparked controversy for what some viewers considered to be ‘provocative’ themes.

The first episode of the series has already received more than four million views on YouTube. The show also stars Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed, M Fawad Khan, Salman Shahid, Khushhal Khan, Sajid Hasan, Uzma Baig, and Nighat Chaudhry among others.

In a statement posted on Zindagi’s official Instagram page, the network thanked those who appreciated the show and explained why it would be removed regardless.

The statement read, “We, at Zindagi and team Barzakh, sincerely thank our global audience for their unwavering support for Barzakh – a show that brought people together everywhere. But in light of the current public sentiment in Pakistan, we have decided to voluntarily withdraw the ban from YouTube Pakistan, effective from August 9, 2024. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued support Thank you.”

The last episode of Barzakh will be aired tonight at 8 PM. Fans in Pakistan who want to watch the series have until August 9 to watch it on YouTube.

The show’s debut was met with mixed response. While some praised its bold narrative and strong performances, others criticized it for not being “family friendly” and expressed discomfort with its content.

Abbasi, on receiving hate from the show, had previously said, “With all due respect, if you find queer stories ‘offensive’, please don’t watch my content. I will always defend everyone’s rights and such.” We will tell stories that we believe in.