Veteran television actor Mehmood Akhtar has voiced strong concerns over what he described as increasing Western influence and foreign-funded content shaping Pakistan’s drama industry.
Speaking on a private TV programme, the seasoned actor said he had witnessed multiple transitions in the television industry over the years, but believes the current phase is the most troubling. According to him, Pakistani dramas once carried meaningful storytelling and strong moral themes, but their originality has eroded over time.
“I have seen the changes through every era, but earlier our dramas were sincere and of high quality. They had weight in their stories. Later, when digest-based scripts emerged, the quality declined — and now a new fraud is underway,” he remarked.
Mehmood Akhtar alleged that funding is being offered to promote certain themes in line with Western values, warning that such trends could damage local cultural and moral foundations. “Specific topics are being funded from the West to produce dramas, and this is destroying our ethics. No one is paying attention. Writers, producers and even viewers seem content. If this continues, where will our society end up?” he questioned.
Expressing regret, the actor said Pakistani dramas have, in his view, lost their essence and are increasingly being influenced by foreign agendas, which he fears could have long-term repercussions on local culture and social values.
