Pakistani dramas attracted a huge audience in their past glorious days. They lost their viewers in significant numbers with the increase in private entertainment channels. The quantity superseded the quality of work in scriptwriting, performances, and presentation. However, the drama industry in Pakistan is now quite mature, and we see some great performances and brilliant stories in dramas aired on different Pakistani entertainment TV channels. It is difficult to watch every drama aired on television. However, based on what I view at different time intervals, I have mentioned below my top five Pakistani dramas. I will keep the listing and rating updated as soon as new dramas are aired on Pakistani channels.
Top 1: Khaas
This drama is written by Sarwat Nazeer and directed by Danish Nawaz. It is aired on HUM TV every Wednesday at 8 pm (Pakistan Standard Time). As of this writing, 17 episodes have gone live. It is my favorite drama as the story beautifully captures the tensions in the married life when the couples are equally qualified and it is not easier for a man to exercise male chauvinism. The love triangle of Saba (Sanam Baloch), Ammar (Ali Rehman), and Faakhir (Haroon Shahid) opens interesting dimensions in the drama. The plot becomes more interesting when Nida (Anam Gohar) becomes interested in Saba’s best friend Faakhir. The drama is a must-watch to feel the issues that arise due to the power struggle in a domestic environment.
Top 2: Anaa
This drama is written by Sameera Fazal and directed by Shahzad Kashmiri. It is aired on HUM TV every Sunday at 8 pm (Pakistan Standard Time). As of this writing, 27 episodes have gone live. Though the story is typical of animosity between two modern-day nawab families based in Chitral (Shamsher Nagar and Sher Ghar), the performance of different characters have made it worth watching. The main love story revolves around Daneen (Hania Aamir), Areesh (Shehzad Sheikh), and Anya (Areeba Shahood Alvi), However, side by side, the relationship of Izza (Naimal Khawar) and Altamash (Usman Mukhtar) have also gained the attention of viewers due to an element of suspense. The drama is an eye-opener as to how our ego (anaa) creates tensions and problems among our closed ones and relatives.
Top 3: Meray Paas Tum Ho
This drama is written by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar and directed by Nadeem Baig. It is aired on ARY Digital every Saturday at 8 pm (Pakistan Standard Time). As of this writing, only one episode has gone live. From the very first episode, the drama has gained massive viewership due to touching the issues of daily life and presenting their implications in a broader context. The drama highlights how the moves and actions of a husband are influenced by the wishes and desires of the wife. Both Danish (Humayun Saeed) and Mehwish (Ayeza Khan) have played the roles of husband and wife quite well. The compromises and adjustments made on principles and values are often out of compulsion and due to the doctrine of necessity. It seems that the drama will add further dimensions and perspectives as further episodes are unfolded.
Top 4: Darr Khuda Say
This drama is written by Sarwat Nazeer and directed by Anjum Shehzad. It is aired on Geo Entertainment every Tuesday at 8 pm (Pakistan Standard Time). As of this writing, ten episodes have gone live. Workplace harassment and other forms of harassment are often faced by women in Pakistani culture where people in power feel that they are licensed to do anything. The drama beautifully highlights the issues of working women and those belonging to the lower and middle classes. Both Afreen (Sana Javed) and Tamkeen (Kiran Haq) are highlighting the issues of women brilliantly through their outstanding performance.
Top 5: Mera Rab Waris
This drama is written by Jahanzeb Qamar and directed by Asad Jabal. It is aired on Geo Entertainment every Thursday at 8 pm (Pakistan Standard Time). As of this writing, 31 episodes have gone live. The drama is a beautiful depiction of how a couple feels when both have an opposite view of life. The wife Aisha (Madiha Imam) is a religious-minded person and husband Haris (Danish Taimoor) is shown as ‘ultra modern.’ The most interesting aspect of drama is how the wife embraces all religious values, and at the same time, becomes a highly qualified and successful member of society.
Recommended Weekly Schedule
Below is my recommended weekly schedule for prime-time (8 pm Pakistan Standard Time) drama viewing:
| Day | Drama | Time | Repeat Next Day |
| Sunday | Anaa (Hum TV) | 8:00 pm PST | 6 pm |
| Monday | Ramz-e-Ishq (Geo) | 8:00 pm PST | 1 am/pm, 6:30 am |
| Tuesday | Darr Khuda Say (Geo) | 8:00 pm PST | 1 am/pm, 6:30 am |
| Wednesday | Khaas (Hum TV) | 8:00 pm PST | 6 pm |
| Thursday | Mera Rab Waris (Geo) | 8:00 pm PST | 1 am/pm, 6:30 am |
| Friday | Yaariyan (Geo) | 8:00 pm PST | 1 am/pm, 6:30 am |
| Saturday | Meray Paas Tum Ho (ARY) | 8:00 pm PST | 3 pm |