The much-anticipated and arguably controversial Pakistani reality show Lazawal Ishq has officially premiered on YouTube.

Despite intense backlash and criticism on social media, the show has sparked widespread buzz for bringing a bold new format to Pakistani screens.

Set against the backdrop of a grand mansion with picturesque landscapes, a shining pool and a heavy dose of glitz and glam, Lazawaal Ishq has been shot at a scenic location Turkiye and blends elements of reality TV as well as matchmaking.

Aiming to explore emotional connections and relationship compatibility among young adults, the format includes several stages from glamorous first impressions and introductions to partner selection and dramatic interactions.

All of it is guided by the show’s host and popular actress Ayesha Omar, who appears in full red-carpet glam, donning a striking red gown for the first episode.

The episode features ten contestants: five girls — Jannat, Urooj, Laiba, Batool and Fatima — and five boys, namely Hamza, Sheeraz, Fahad, Maaz and Junaid. Pairings were made based on mutual preferences following the boys’ entrance.

Urooj, one of the participants, made it clear from the beginning that she’s looking for a real connection and potentially a life partner, echoing the show’s core concept.

Ayesha Omar, sharing a clip from the episode on Instagram, revealed that her mother appreciated the show’s unique premise. “Did my mum like the first episode? BILKULLLLLL!” she wrote, adding that her mother found it interesting and insightful to see how modern youth express themselves.

“The interaction was healthy, she said… she’s really looking forward to following the show.”

The episode marks Ayesha’s first interaction with the participants of Lazawaal Ishq, and she has expressed admiration for them. During the episode, Ayesha also admitted she’s open to marriage herself and encouraged participants to embrace the journey with fun and honesty, even if it includes “some mistakes”.

However, not everyone is impressed.

From the moment the show’s promo dropped, Lazawaal Ishq has faced harsh criticism, with many calling it “un-Islamic” and a copy of Western dating shows. Hashtags like #BoycottLazawalIshq and #BoycottAyeshaOmar began trending soon after the premiere.

While some viewers have praised the fresh concept and the show’s attempt to reflect the emotional complexities of today’s youth.

The actress has already addressed the backlash, saying that it is not a “dating show”.

As a debate continues to rage online, one thing is clear, Lazawaal Ishq is already one of the most talked-about shows in the country. Evidently so, it has racked up over 200,000 views within 24 hours of the first episode dropping.

Watch here: Episode One.