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Maulana Tariq Jamil, one of Pakistan’s most respected Islamic scholars, has become the center of an online debate after a video of him performing yoga exercises surfaced on social media. Widely admired for his calm demeanor and inclusive approach to religious teachings, Maulana Tariq Jamil enjoys a large following across different schools of thought in Pakistan and abroad. Over the years, he has built a reputation for promoting unity, compassion, and moral values through his lectures. In addition to his religious work, he has also ventured into business with his own brand, a move that has occasionally drawn criticism from some quarters who question the commercialization of religious personalities. The latest discussion surrounding the scholar, however, has little to do with his sermons or business activities. Instead, it centers on a recently circulated video featuring him alongside Dr. Affan Qaiser, in which he demonstrates several yoga-inspired stretching exercises. The clip quickly gained traction across social media platforms, with many viewers expressing surprise at the scholar’s flexibility. Considering his age and previous health challenges, several users praised his physical fitness and commitment to maintaining an active lifestyle. Many described the video as inspiring, saying it highlighted the importance of mobility, exercise, and healthy aging. Others, however, questioned whether the video should have been recorded and shared publicly. Some critics argued that such content was unexpected from a religious figure of Maulana Tariq Jamil’s stature, while others believed it was unnecessary to turn a private fitness session into a public spectacle. The video also prompted reactions from public figures. Among those commenting was politician Hina Parvez Butt, who voiced her disapproval of the clip, adding another layer to the discussion already unfolding online. As the debate intensified, social media users remained sharply divided. Supporters argued that the movements shown in the video were simply physical exercises aimed at improving flexibility and overall health. They maintained that stretching routines and yoga-based movements should not be viewed negatively when practiced solely for fitness purposes. Others defended the scholar by pointing out that maintaining physical health is encouraged and that there was nothing inappropriate about engaging in exercises designed to improve strength and mobility. Many also praised Maulana Tariq Jamil for staying physically active despite his advancing age. On the other hand, critics expressed discomfort with the video, saying they did not expect to see the religious scholar performing such poses. Some users felt the footage should not have been made public, while others questioned whether it aligned with the public image associated with a prominent Islamic preacher. Despite the differing opinions, the video has generated widespread discussion online, with thousands of users continuing to share their views. While some see it as a positive reminder of the importance of health and fitness, others believe the clip has crossed personal or cultural boundaries. The viral video has once again demonstrated how social media can rapidly turn everyday moments involving public figures into nationwide conversations, leaving audiences divided over interpretation, intent, and public perception.

Pakistan’s Got Talent, the Pakistani adaptation of the internationally recognised Got Talent franchise, has been attracting attention for showcasing performers with a wide variety of skills. The reality competition provides a platform for singers, dancers, musicians, comedians, magicians, acrobats, beatboxers and stunt performers from across the country. The first season features a judging panel consisting of Ali Zafar, Mehwish Hayat, Tabish Hashmi and Usman Bashir. The judges assess contestants on their creativity, stage presence and individual abilities as they compete for recognition on the national platform. A recent episode, however, sparked a heated debate on social media after contestant Yousha Hussain from Karachi delivered a bold belly dance performance. Yousha appeared on stage wearing feminine-style clothing, makeup and jewellery while performing to “Jey Deyo Ijazat Tey,” the OST of the Geo TV drama Shahrukh Ki Saaliyaan. The contestant’s appearance and performance quickly became a major talking point online. Viewers particularly discussed the styling and outfit, which some considered revealing, while others focused on the decision to feature the performance on mainstream television. Following the episode, several social media users criticised the programme’s producers and questioned whether such performances were appropriate for Pakistani television. Some viewers described the performance as an attempt to promote LGBTQ-related themes, while others expressed concerns about cultural and religious values. One social media user accused the programme of promoting an “LGBTQ agenda” and linked the performance to religious beliefs surrounding the punishment of the people of Lut. Another criticised the show for allegedly promoting LGBTQ themes and called the decision a “big shame.” Other comments similarly questioned whether the performance was intended to promote LGBT representation. Some users also criticised the style of belly dancing and the contestant’s clothing, arguing that the performance did not fit their understanding of Pakistani cultural and religious values. The controversy has consequently shifted attention away from the contestant’s dancing ability and towards a broader discussion about entertainment, personal expression, cultural expectations and the type of content presented on national television. While some viewers have strongly objected to the performance, the debate also highlights the increasingly intense reactions Pakistani television programmes can receive when performers challenge conventional expectations surrounding appearance, gender expression and stage performances.

Veteran actor Faysal Quraishi has made a bold statement about how far Pakistani dramas have come on the world stage. He shared his views during a recent appearance on Fahad Abid’s podcast, Fahad’s Den. According to Quraishi, Pakistani dramas are now competing directly with Netflix productions on a global level. He noted that free-to-air Pakistani dramas are increasingly being compared to major international Netflix shows, despite operating on vastly different budgets. He broke down the numbers to make his point clearer. A highly successful Pakistani drama, he said, typically earns around Rs 20 crore at its peak. Certain Indian series made for Netflix, on the other hand, are produced with budgets nearing Rs 40 crore. Yet, according to Quraishi, these productions still end up being measured against Pakistani dramas in terms of overall impact. He went further, pointing to viewership numbers as proof of this growing rivalry. Quraishi claimed that a single episode of a Pakistani drama often pulls in more YouTube views than an entire hit Netflix series combined. He said this reflects just how deeply Pakistani content has connected with audiences around the world. Quraishi also raised a pointed question about the relationship between the two industries. He asked why Indian streaming platforms have not made Pakistani dramas available on Netflix, if the two truly are not in competition. According to him, this hesitation comes from a deliberate push to protect and promote homegrown Indian content instead. Beyond his industry comparison, Quraishi shared a personal story to highlight just how far-reaching Pakistani dramas have become. He recalled sitting inside a cinema once, only to spot the person beside him watching a Pakistani drama on their phone. He added that a friend had told him a similar story, describing how commonly people now watch these dramas on mobile devices rather than television screens. Quraishi has built an extensive career in the Pakistani entertainment industry over the years. His body of work includes popular dramas such as Fitoor, Farq, Dil-e-Momin, and Khaie. He recently earned strong praise for his performance in Case No. 9, further reinforcing his reputation as one of the country’s most respected television actors.