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    Lubna Aslam: Life as a Pakistani Actress

    Written by: Sadeem Shaikh
    Posted on: June 25, 2015 |

    Lubna Aslam has acted in an array of drama serials and films over the last 15 years

    In light of the stagnation surrounding the Pakistani television industry in recent times, many blame this state quite simply on the lingering effects of the poisonous death instilled at the hands of the Zia regime in the 1980s. The TV serials and films broadcasted today have been criticized for following monotonous and banal storylines, devoid of any impactful themes, and lacking the vital element of creativity that is ever so needed in any commercial production. In the face of such strong criticism, one finds dedicated actresses such as Lubna Aslam, who still hold Pakistani television in the prestigious ranks that it enjoyed in the 1970s. Having been cast in an array of drama serials and films over the last 15 years, Aslam remains convinced that Pakistani actors and actresses are immensely talented, and have a lot more potential than they are generally credited for. She carries this belief in the countless drama serials, films and advertisements that she has acted in over the years.

    TV Actress Lubna Aslam

    In conversation with Lubna Aslam

    Born in Karachi and having studied at Karachi University, Lubna Aslam spent much of her childhood travelling around Pakistan on account of her father’s post in the army. She excitedly pinpoints her earliest interest in theatre around the same time, when she would enthusiastically take part in school plays. One of her first popular plays was Anwar Maqsood’s Agar Aur Jeetay Rehtay, whose title was taken from a great poem by Mirza Ghalib. However, it was in 2001 that Aslam began to seriously pursue acting, with a major role in a critically acclaimed PTV drama serial, Dard ke Faslay. She claims that this particular serial had a distinct following in the northern areas of Pakistan, seeing as how PTV was regularly watched in this part of the country. People from most other areas, on the other hand, had little or no knowledge of the production.

    Soon thereafter, an offer for private shows came her way from GEO TV, and Aslam was quick to make her mark in the rising television industry of the time. A fascinating commonality in most of Aslam’s drama serials relates to the societal themes that they address. As a policy, before taking on a project, she ensures that the storyline features a certain theme that works to propagate a positive message, or as an alternative, seeks to accost predominant cultural traits of contemporary Pakistani society. One of the first serials to achieve this was Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan (2009), based on the novel written by Aslam’s favorite screenwriter, Umera Ahmad. Having taken its title from Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s song of the same name, it dealt with important themes of spirituality and marriage in a traditional Pakistani setting. Aslam enthusiastically recalls how Meri Zaat was one of many serials that exposed her to an ensemble cast of outstanding actors, including Faisal Qureshi, Adnan Siddiqui and Samina Pirzada.

    In 2011, Aslam was cast in ARY Digital’s Roag, which confronts the imperative theme of child molestation in Pakistan. “It is important to inform people of themes that deal with human rights violations that are so widely prevalent in our country – drama serials provide the perfect platform to do this”, said Aslam. While she thoroughly enjoyed the project, none of Aslam’s serials took on a more courageous theme than her personal favorite, Siskiyan (2013). Following an imaginative approach to the subservient place of women in contemporary Pakistani society, the serial addressed issues of education, marriage and other social constraints affecting the Pakistani female. Aslam plays the role of a distressed wife, one that serves to be “different than usual”, in her words. She speaks highly of another critically acclaimed drama, Main Dewani (2014). While she loved working on the project, its lack of critical reception disappointed her, given the theme’s tremendous potential to impact conservative mindsets in Pakistan. The brainchild of director Aabis Raza, Main Dewani deals with the implications of a rare mental disorder called Erotomania. Given the audience’s limited knowledge of the illness, many viewed the message as confusing and meaningless. In a mellow tone, Aslam explained that “this is a pertinent problem with Pakistani viewers – they are unaware of some of the most rampant and threatening troubles plaguing our society today”.

    TV Actress Lubna Aslam

    Almost fifteen years since her professional entry into the television industry, Aslam continues to seek meaning in her work, hoping that her willingness to impact the mindsets of the Pakistani population will, one day, do justice to her many years of resilience, passion and hard work. With this same dedication to bringing about change, she embarks on another unique journey to address the issue of terrorism in her upcoming classic political thriller, Maalik (2015), which features an ensemble cast including the likes of Farhan Ali Agha, Sajid Hassan and Ashir Azeem.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021