Exploring Portrayals of Gender, Class, and Morality in the Pakistani Drama Meray Paas Tum Ho

Abstract

This paper examines how gender roles, class relationship, and morality are represented in the popular Pakistani series, Meray Paas Tum Ho (2019-2020). The study employs both mixed and qualitative methods by integrating the content analysis of qualitative material with quantitative data surveys and in-depth interviews to study how the play and its influence on society operate. The analysis shows that Meray Paas Tum Ho upholds the idea of traditional gender roles where the female main character, Mehwish, is portrayed as a victim of her situation whose ethical misdeeds result in her demise. Materialism is also a subject of criticism in the drama that attributes the desire of riches to moral degradation, especially in the character of Mehwish. The play criticizes the materialism but at the same time, it reinforces social norms of family loyalty and dominance of men. According to the audience feedback, more liberal and sophisticated ways of depicting gender roles and ethical issues are what the Pakistani dramas want to see in the future. This paper points out the relevant influence of media in forming society attitudes towards gender, class and morality and more diverse and empowering visualization of women in Pakistani television.