Why did Pakistani drama ‘Behkaway’ spark public outrage?

Dubai: The Pakistani TV drama Behkaway is facing fierce backlash following the release of Episode 25, which featured a deeply unsettling scene that many viewers have condemned as inappropriate and disturbing.

Written by Samra Bukhari and directed by Asad Jabal, the show has already drawn criticism for its regressive narrative.

The latest controversy centers on a troubling sequence involving an underage schoolgirl and an adult male character — the maternal uncle of Zeenat and Zubair’s daughter.

In the episode, the man is seen picking the girl up from school, making an attempt to harass her, and then taking her to an ice cream parlour. There, he eats ice cream in an overtly suggestive manner, visibly making the young girl uncomfortable — a scene that viewers called "vulgar" and "morally irresponsible."

Social media platforms lit up with angry reactions, with users accusing the drama of normalizing predatory behavior and spreading damaging messages.

“This is a very vulgar drama; it is sending a terrible message,” one user wrote. Another added, “Moral values are already in decline — dramas like this are making things worse.”

Calls to ban Behkaway have intensified, with many urging regulatory bodies to intervene, claiming the drama has crossed ethical boundaries.

Critics have also highlighted long-standing issues with the show's central plot. Zubair, a toxic, controlling husband, regularly humiliates and abuses his wife Zeenat — a character portrayed as submissive and perpetually in tears, unable to confront his infidelity or cruelty.

“Why are they still showing women as helpless victims?” asked one viewer. “Zeenat has done nothing but cry since Episode 1,” said another.

While the majority of feedback has been negative, a few viewers argued the show could serve as a wake-up call for parents, shedding light on uncomfortable but real societal issues.

“As disturbing as it is, it carries an important message,” one user commented.

Nonetheless, the overwhelming consensus remains that Behkaway has crossed a line — and the outrage shows no signs of slowing down.