The Pakistani drama industry is regarded among the best in the world. Be it the middle East or the West or even in our neighboring country, Pakistani dramas are watched with great enthusiasm, left right and centre. Pakistani dramas offer strong content with a wide range of variety for the viewers. Even though we produce the typical Saas Bahu soaps more than anything else, there have been dramas on Pakistan television that have been absolutely exceptional.
So if you’re in the mood to binge watch any Pakistani drama today and you don’t want it to be the typical joint family political storyline, lets take a look at our pick of the top 10 Pakistani dramas that you can watch.
Kuch Ankahi
Without a doubt this has to top our charts. Kuch Ankahi is such a special drama serial that you cannot help but fall in love with it. Tackling multiple social issues in a light-hearted manner, Kuch Ankahee is a classic. Starring Sajal Aly, Bilal Abbas and Sheheryar Munawar in pivotal roles, Kuch Ankahi is a beautiful story of a father and his fight for his daughters’ right in his inheritance. Written by Mohammed Ahmed, Kuch Ankahi has been directed by Nadeem Baig and is currently on air on ARY Digital.
Sar-e-Rah
This recently ended mini series on ARY Digital was absolutely exceptional. From women rights to childlessness, from workplace harassment to intersex issues, Sar-e-Rah tackled a number of issues with such an amazing and powerful script that the audience wanted more after the six episodes ended. Starring Saba Qamar as the main lead, Sar-e-Rah had an ensemble cast including Muneeb Butt, Saboor Aly, Hareem Farooq and Sunita Marshall. The drama was directed by Ahmed Bhatti and was one of the most brilliant piece of works on women empowerment that delivered its message without hitting you right in the face.
Parizaad
Any list that consists of Pakistani dramas with exceptional story lines will be incomplete without the mention of Parizaad. This Ahmed Ali Akbar starrer was absolutely classic, and a piece of art. The drama was written by Hashim Nadeem and directed by Shahzad Kashmiri. Parizaad’s story revolved around a dark skinned boy with a heart of gold and his journey through life’s ups and downs. You wouldn’t want to miss this one out.
Alif
Although spiritual dramas are not really trending these days, but you’ll have to make time to watch Alif. This one drama is gorgeous, the kinds of which have never been seen before. Alif was just as exceptional as its cast. Alif starred Hamza Ali Abbasi, Manzar Sehbai, Sajal Aly, Ahsan Khan, and Kubra Khan in pivotal roles and talked about finding spiritual love after falling in love with a mortal being. Alif was directed by Haseeb Hassan and was based on a story by Umera Ahmed.
Shehnai
If you’re looking for some light hearted romantic comedy with nothing too heavy, Shehnai is your drama to go. This one serial is certified to make you laugh and keep you looking out for more, one episode after another. Shehnai starred Ramsha Khan and Affan Waheed in the lead and followed the story of a girl and boy who wanted out of an arranged marriage together. Shehnai again was an Ahmed Bhatti directorial and brought about an absolutely exciting storyline.
Udaari
No dramas worth binge watching list can be completed without the mention of Udaari. Udaari brought into limelight the issues of child abuse and propelled Ahsan Khan into the limelight with a character that he had never attempted before – one of a child molestor. Udaari can be termed as the awakening when it comes to dramas about child abuse. Hina Altaf delivered exceptional performance in this one alongside Samiya Mumtaz, Bushra Ansari, Urwa Hocane and Farhan Saeed.
Ranjha Ranjha Kardi
What happens when you fall in love with a special person who is unable to think like a grown up? Ranjha Ranjha Kardi starred Iqra Aziz and Imran Ashraf in this classic tale of love where the daughter of a sweeper is keen to change her own life and falls in love with a mentally handicapped man. It was this drama that took Imran Ashraf to the heights of fame with the character of Bhola. Ranjha Ranjha Kardi was directed by Kashif Nisar and was based on a story by Faiza Iftekhar.
Sinf E Aahan
Women of steel… Sinf e Aahan was an absolutely wonderful drama serial following the lives and training of female army cadets. The drama revolved around 6 passionate female cadets (Kubra Khan, Ramsha Khan, Sajal Aly, Yumna Zaidi, Syra Yusuf, and Dananeer Mobeen) who were too strong to be handled by the society and decided to work for the sake of their country, empowering themselves to deal with personal issues as well as fight for the country as well. Sinf E Aahan was directed by Nadeem Baig and was written by Umera Ahmed, a great combo nonetheless.
Prem Gali
Want to have some mindless laughs and watch a light-hearted drama serial that revolves around a young couple trying to escape a enclosed family circle? Prem Gali is your pick. Starring Sohai Ali Abro and Farhan Saeed in the lead, Prem Gali was a beautiful story of love and family dynamics, away from the saas bahu khichri, we see on TV so often. And yes this drama also focused on strong independent women, living alone and on their own terms in a neighborhood filled with judgmental people. Prem Gali was written by Faiza Iftekhar and directed by Qasim Ali Mureed.
Fraud
If you’re a Saba Qamar fan like us, Fraud is the drama for you. This one revolved around the story of a con artist trying to make it big in the society by marrying innocent girls one after another. Saba Qamar played Maya, who even after receiving the biggest set back of her life, refused to bow down, even if she belonged to a small town. Maya was a strong woman who fought and lived life on her own terms and refused to break her principals for the sake of a happily married life, later on. Directed by Saqib Khan, Fraud was written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah and brought about a truly engrossing story.
