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THE WEEK THAT WAS
Kafeel | ARY, Mon-Tues 8.00pm
After more than 20 years of marriage and four children, Zeba (Sanam Saeed) finally admits the miracle that she once hoped for is impossible — her terrible husband Jami (Eemad Irfani) will not change.
For years, Zeba has lived in a psychological prison, putting up with years of Jami’s womanising, theft, deceit and even physical threats to their family — all in the name of respectability. An educated, compassionate and strong woman, Zeba fears no one will marry her daughters if she divorces Jami. When a divorced friend encourages Zeba to seek freedom, Zeba immediately brings up her worries about her three unmarried daughters and unconsciously places the burden of her own life choices on them.
Writer Umera Ahmed highlights how spouses, especially women, relinquish agency and power, even when they are the ones actually fulfilling both partners’ responsibilities. Director Meesam Naqvi contrasts the frustrating narrative of Zeba’s past decisions with a more hopeful future, where positive change is possible. The drama reminds audiences that living with dysfunction places a heavy psychological burden on the children that Zeba is trying desperately to protect. Strong performances from the young cast, led by Aashir Wajahat (Subuk), make this show more relatable and entertaining rather than a portrayal of helpless pain and suffering.
Muamma | Hum TV, Wed-Thurs 8.00pm
Director Shaqielle Khan brings a touch of theatrical mystery to Muamma, reminiscent of the heydays of British television, where every situation was meticulously crafted, and a new twist unfolded each week.
Jehan Ara (Saba Qamar) may have suffered intense abuse and disappointment that have twisted her personality, but she is not portrayed as a victim. Still a prisoner of her past, we glimpse her vulnerability. Yet, her need to control, dominate and manipulate drives her behaviour out of choice.
Ali Ansari impresses as the two-faced Junaid, a protective, loving husband to Myra (Anoushay Abbasi), while secretly proposing to Jehan Ara. A beautiful, alluring woman like Jehan Ara is unimpressed — she is intelligent enough to understand that her money and perceived influence are the primary attractions that draw others to her. While Jehan Ara peeks into the lives of her tenants, author Imran Nazir gives us a window into cultural dysfunction. Saba Qamar delivers a subtle yet powerhouse performance that has captured the audience’s attention..
Faaslay | Green Entertainment, Fri-Sun 8.00pm
Green Entertainment’s plan to diversify its content, rather than focusing on the intense, out-of-the-box stories it first became known for, seems to be working.
True to its genre, after years of fighting, the main protagonists end up married.
Zaviyar (Ali Ansari) exposes Ainey’s (Saboor Aly) conniving fiancé as a liar and a cheat on their wedding day. While he steps in to take the groom’s place, Ainey’s heart brims with resentment at being humiliated and possibly even manipulated in public. So, the fight continues until these two let go of their egos and past wounds and surrender to a love that truly knows how to forgive.
A young supporting cast and multiple storylines make this an intriguing drama but, ultimately, it’s the structured script and characterisations that make it so watchable. Many of the storylines require leaps of imagination, but the drama’s light tone and the cast’s chemistry make us feel that they are a group of friends we all know. This is entertainment that is enjoyable with no pressure to think too much.
What To Watch Out For (Or Not)
Sara Aapi | Geo TV, Coming soon
A new story of familial loyalty and betrayal. Sara Aapi (Savera Nadeem) has sacrificed much for her family, but is her role as matriarch suffocating and stunting the lives of those she claims to love?
Published in Dawn, ICON, February 8th, 2026
