‘Barzakh’: Fawad Khan starrer withdrawn from YouTube Pakistan following backlash over queer love

The highly anticipated digital series, ‘Barzakh’, starring Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, has faced significant criticism in Pakistan for its depiction of queer love. In response, the series' creators, Zindagi, have announced the withdrawal of ‘Barzakh’ from YouTube Pakistan, effective August 9, 2024.

The official statement shared on the Instagram handle of Zindagi reads, ‘We, at Zindagi and Team Barzakh, extend our heartfelt gratitude to our global audience for their unwavering support for Barzakh - a show that was created to bring people together everywhere. But in light of the current public sentiment in Pakistan, we have made the decision to voluntarily withdraw Barzakh from YouTube Pakistan, effective August 9, 2024. This decision underscores our dedication to honouring our audiences without causing alienation. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued support.’

A few days back, director Asim Abbasi was unfazed by the controversy, maintaining a clear stance: those offended by the storyline should simply avoid watching the show.

Responding to criticism for depicting homosexuality in ‘Barzakh’ and his 2020 production, ‘Churails’, Abbasi stated, ‘If you find queer/non-heteronormative storylines ‘distasteful’, please do not watch my content.’

‘Boycott Barzakh’

The debate ignited after an episode featured Fawad M. Khan, portraying Saifullah, in a scene where he and an Italian character named Lorenzo, played by Franco Giusti, nearly kissed.

This has led to public calls to boycott ‘Barzakh’ for endorsing LGBTQIA+ themes, which clash with Islamic values.

One X user wants the show removed, urging PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take strict action. Actor Mishi Khan also criticized the cast for participating in a show that undermines ‘Islamic value systems,’ writing, ‘Shameful to normalize the LGBTQ agenda & our stars being part of this kind of nonsense script. Learn to say NO guys if it hampers our value system.’

Another user commented that a Pakistani producer’s idea of abstract art/cinema is ‘basically shoving homosexuality down our throats.’

Hitting Back at Critics

Designer Maria B, often criticized for her views on the LGBTQIA+ community, seized another chance to make controversial statements.

‘If God doesn’t agree with it, how do the makers of the show?’ she stressed in one video, adding that ‘the biggest HARAAM concepts of Zina, LGBTQ Qom e Lut, and child grooming are all being glamorized shamelessly in this drama!!’

However, many defended the show. Sociologist and professor Nida Kirmani responded to a social media user who criticized the show for promoting behayai (shamelessness). ‘Art is not made for closed-minded people like yourself. Stick to reading religious texts & watching religious lectures on YouTube,’ Kirmani wrote.

Others pointed out the hypocrisy of homophobic commentators, noting that the abuse and torture of women in Pakistani dramas are widely accepted, but lines are only drawn when queer narratives are depicted.

People also praised Abbasi’s bold stance. ‘It’s great to see Asim Abbasi standing his ground and not succumbing to right-wing bullies trying to moral police a work of art. This fight isn’t easy! Also, glad that Barzakh is on an international platform and cannot be dictated by a regressive organization like PEMRA,’ an X user wrote.

This is not the first time a Pakistani show has faced backlash for depicting queer storylines. The country’s 2022 Oscar entry, Joyland, and the 2023 TV show Sar-e-Rah also faced boycotts for similar reasons.

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