Pakistani TV needs more original stories and diverse characters, veteran actress Shaista Jabeen has said, warning that the industry is increasingly turning to repetitive themes and familiar character types.

Jabeen is currently appearing in Express Entertainment’s upcoming drama Ikhtiyaar, which features an ensemble cast including Shahroz Sabzwari, Srha Asghar, Faiza Hassan and Yasir Nawaz.

Speaking about the project, Jabeen described Ikhtiyaar as a powerful and emotionally engaging drama, praising its storyline as well as the performances of her fellow cast members.

She called the production a story that touches the heart and said the actors had performed their respective roles with considerable commitment.

Shaista Jabeen Praises Ikhtiyaar Production

The veteran actress also praised the production arrangements for the drama, saying she experienced no significant difficulties while filming.

She particularly highlighted the set, describing it as outstanding and saying its design reminded her of television productions from the earlier stages of her career.

Jabeen began her acting career on stage during the 1980s before moving into television. She became widely recognised through PTV productions in the 1990s, with Dasht serving as one of her breakthrough projects.

Her other notable television appearances include Aaghosh, Duniya Dari and Beti. Over the course of her career, she has appeared in more than 50 television serials.

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Veteran Actress Reflects on Changing Industry

Looking back at her decades-long career, Jabeen said the television industry had undergone major changes in both its working environment and production standards.

She recalled that earlier productions often achieved strong results despite having fewer resources, while modern productions have access to considerably more facilities.

However, she believes that greater resources have not necessarily resulted in stronger storytelling.

Jabeen identified the shortage of fresh writing as one of the biggest challenges facing the industry today.

Her comments come amid continuing debate over the themes dominating Pakistani television, with audiences and industry observers increasingly calling for more varied narratives, complex characters and stories that move beyond familiar formulas.

For Jabeen, the future of television depends not only on better production facilities but also on writers willing to explore new ideas and characters.

With Ikhtiyaar, the veteran actress hopes to be part of a project that offers audiences an emotionally engaging story while reflecting the importance of stronger and more original television writing.