Saheefa Jabbar believes Pakistani dramas aren’t showing independent women or their journeys

Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has voiced her passionate critique of the current state of Pakistani television serials, highlighting a significant gap in the portrayal of empowered, independent women.

Known for her outspoken views on the representation of women in the media, the model-cum-actor advocated for a shift towards more realistic and inspiring portrayals. In an interview with Fuschia Magazine, she said Pakistani dramas have strayed too far from reality, failing to accurately represent the journeys and successes of independent women.

“I feel like I’ve spoken about this so openly and often that I may not be offered anything anymore. Our dramas can be so much better,” she began.

Jabbar’s critique revolves around a common narrative issue in Pakistani television: the lack of authentic, multifaceted female characters. While acknowledging that the dramas do reflect certain aspects of real life, she argued that they fall short in showcasing the diverse experiences of women who break traditional moulds.

“We are not showing independent women and their journeys the way we should be showing them. I get that whatever is being shown is also a part of reality. Still, I want to see those girls who are independent, have gone through a divorce, have gone abroad for their studies and are back and serving the country in whatever capacity,” she explained.

Jabbar also touched upon the discrepancies between scripted dialogue and real-life conversations. She recalled having specific disagreements on set, accompanied by her co-star Zaviyar Nauman, over the authenticity of certain scenes and dialogues.

“Zaviyar and I were having issues over a certain scene because we were like, why does this scene even need to be there? A lot of times, we argue over the tone and delivery because we don’t speak like that in our everyday lives,” Jabbar noted.

This disconnect, she believes, contributes to women being portrayed in ways that seem unnatural and out of touch with genuine experiences.

She urged scriptwriters and producers to explore and depict stories of women who embody independence and empowerment, rather than relying on clichéd or overly dramatised scenarios. “I would like to see girls in dramas who are doing great for themselves,” she concluded, highlighting a vision for television that aligns more closely with the realities and aspirations of modern women.

Jabbar returned to television this year after a four-year hiatus. The actor is currently starring in Green Entertainment’s Rafta Rafta, alongside Ejaz and Hina Dilpazeer. In an exclusive comment to Images, Jabbar had said that she was “grateful” there was “no crying or slapping” in the show — elements present in a majority of Pakistani dramas.

“This was my problem, I did not want to do a scene with slapping or [dialogues such as] ‘please believe me’,” she continued.

As Pakistani television continues to evolve, Jabbar’s remarks serve as a compelling reminder of the need for more progressive and realistic representations of women.