THE WEEK THAT WAS
Marg-i-Wafa | Hum TV, Mon-Thurs 9.00pm
For those expecting a superficial melodrama in the 7pm slot, this drama by writer Amna Riaz will come as a shock, as it offers both depth and entertainment.
Blinded by her immature love for her cousin Hasan (Zain Baig), Hiba (Sabeena Farooq) goes down a path of self-destruction. She steals and sells her late mother’s jewellery to raise the money for Hasan to get a foreign visa, in the hope that he will earn enough to fulfil his obligations and then marry her. Her best friend and neighbour, Azer (Usama Khan), does not trust Hasan but draws the line on their friendship when Hiba blurts out an uncomfortable truth about his mother Farisa (Salma Hasan). Farisa is a deeply bitter housewife frustrated by her lonely life as a grass widow, and is thinking of leaving her husband for another man.
Usama Khan’s performance is the most convincing and the star attraction of this show as the devoted young son unable to see his mother’s reality as a woman. Surprisingly, Sabeena Farooq is the weakest link and looks out of place.
Zabt | Geo TV, Daily 7.00pm
After a promising start as a fast-paced melodrama that could have hooked the masses, exposing the flaws of joint families and the suffocation caused by authoritarian parenting, Zabt has simply fizzled out.
Ayla (Zoha Tauqeer) was in love with her wealthy cousin Shami (Danyal Khan), but their nikaah (without rukhsati) turns into a nightmare when she becomes pregnant and he denies paternity. Shami is a weak, young man terrified of his domineering mother. After divorcing Ayla he finds himself in another forced marriage with another cousin Rimla (Sarah Aijaz). Danyal Khan does not have much of the impact required for his role and needs to work on his craft. Despite the extremes of humiliation and physical loss, Ayla’s character has shown zero maturity or growth. Zoha Tauqeer has been told to stand in silence and weep piteously, a position which might have secured ratings 20 years ago but now rings hollow. Meanwhile, Aun (Sachal Afzal), her cousin who has always loved her, has been given all the best lines, which he is delivering to great effect.
Despite a supporting cast rich with talent, they have been given flimsy, black-and-white roles with little scope for performance. Ayla is now forced into a marriage of convenience to Aun and it seems like every trope has been pulled out of a hat to secure an audience.
Bas Tera Saath Ho | ARY, Mon-Tues 8.00pm
Given that this was a sequel to the blockbuster hit Meray Humsafar, nothing new was expected. We all love a good Cinderella story and, as far as easy entertainment goes, director Qasim Ali Mureed and his team have fulfilled that end of the bargain well.
There is nothing more tiresome than ‘the marriage of convenience to restore honour’ trope, because it feeds into the honour culture as a whole. However, Ansa (Sana Javed) has some dignity; she does not agree to the nikaah till she gets some small sliver of assurance of, if not love at least preference, from Anas (Farhan Saeed), whose performance has been underwhelming. Most of the acting credits go to Sana Javed, who has the better-written character.
The team does provide us with some well-made, emotionally appealing vignettes that keep fans hooked. Haris Waheed as Shayan and Zoya Nasir as Shirin make captivating villains. Their performances as entitled bullies keep the show from turning into sentimental mush.
What To Watch Out For (Or Not)
Deewar | Hum TV, Daily 7.00pm
Sunita Marshall stars as Sadia, an older sister with a successful career. Her compassionate nature has prevented her brothers from maturing or becoming independent.
Published in Dawn, ICON, June 28th, 2026
