The story of any drama is taken forward with the help of the characters. They play an important part in making or breaking the drama. It can be stated that characters are the building blocks and backbone of any story because the writers conceive them and with the help of their circumstances and scenarios, convey the entire story and the message they have in their minds. A lot of times, though the story may not work, there are often such characters that end up being memorable. Similarly, at times dramas become popular but the characters lack the impact in order to become unforgettable.

In Pakistani dramas, the viewers come across different varieties of characters, in general, they are either good or bad because they serve the purpose and stay true to what they have been written for. Then comes such a category which makes one question the thought process of the writer. Such characters are neither good nor bad, they are in fact the worst characters that the drama buffs come across. Many times, they leave the viewers speechless and end up being the reason behind their frustration. The current dramas on air right now are not devoid of such characters. The writers have tried hard to give them a personality but their reasoning and overall attitude is poorly executed and makes them the worst character in a drama.

Here is the list of worst characters seen in Pakistani dramas in 2021:

Farhad (Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3)

It is going to be the first time in the history of Pakistani dramas where the central character has had absolutely shown no growth and there has been no personality to him whatsoever. Farhad and his journey have been glorified by the people around him who immediately fell in love with him hard but the sad part is, the actual reason why Farhad was so special was never made clear to the viewers. There is absolutely nothing to him that makes him stand out or extraordinary. Farhad’s journey has been shown in such a manner that actually leaves you questioning what heroic qualities does he possess? He was shown to be a random non-serious guy with zero aspirations and all he ever did was fall in love with Mahi and sit at a Mazaar with that love in his heart? The way people around him develop such reverence for him is far stretched and even by the end of this drama, one struggles hard to understand him. The writer must’ve written him in a different manner but the director failed to work on his personality, he forgot to add layers and depth to make Farhad likable for the ‘normal’ audience. Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3 only got hyped up because of the franchise and Feroze Khan and at this stage, it can be easily said that this drama as well as the central character of Farhad were nothing but a disappointment.

Sahiba (Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3)

In Pakistani dramas, we start off with clueless characters, then come senseless characters, then come filler characters, and then come characters like Sahiba. It is a shame that an actor like Sunita Marshal was assigned for this role because she did not deserve to be wasted in this drama like that. Sahiba’s character makes absolutely no sense and the way her dynamic has been established with Mahi makes it even more frustrating. Sahiba happens to be Mahi’s bhabhi but she does not have a life of her own. If they had shown her as Mahi’s unmarried elder sister, it would’ve still made a lot more sense. Seeing a married woman hopping around Mahi, totally invested in her goes to show that absolutely has nothing to do with her life. Sahiba instilled the idea of Farhad’s love in Mahi’s mind but when the time came, she told Mahi to forget about him and silently get married to Sikandar! Sahiba is such a nonsensical character that it actually makes you feel bad for Sunita Marshal who had to play it. Another low faced by this character was a slap by her husband Nazim Shah and what’s more upsetting is that she settled for it quietly and did not even say a word to her husband or his family. Poorly written and executed character!

Dilnasheen’s Mother (Fitoor)

Usually in Pakistani dramas, we often get to hear mothers say to their daughters ‘tumhari jaisi aulaad kisi ki na ho’, well in this case, we’ll change it and say ‘tumhari jaisi ma kisi ki na ho’. This is exactly the only way to describe what a hideous and horrible character Dilnasheen’s mother was. The way she always turned a blind eye towards her daughter and ran a marathon whenever Dilnasheen looked for her support was absolutely distasteful. Although a lot of focus was given to the rest of the supporting characters but not once it was addressed why Dilnasheen’s mother was so cold and aloof towards her daughter. She easily blamed Dilansheen for all the stuff-ups but never once took accountability for the fact that she pushed Dilnasheen into a marriage that she never was happy about. She said all the vile things a mother should never say to her child-like settling for a luxurious life her husband provided to her despite the fact that he slapped and mistrusted her. She also told Dilnasheen that she wished she had died. Saba Hameed is a very strong performer with a very strong screen presence, that is why seeing her say these things actually was something that couldn’t be ignored. Such a horrible mother and a horrible character written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah in Fitoor!

Mehmal (Fitoor)

In Pakistani dramas, these days there’s an influx of girls dying to be with married men. They all are absolutely wrong but what took Mehmal to another level was the fact that she was a mother and that too legally and lawfully married to her husband while she was trying to chase Haider and snatch him away from Dilnasheen. There is no denying the fact that Kiran Haq looked absolutely stunning and gorgeous throughout the drama but the character of Mehmal was detestable, to say the least. It was like she had nothing to do in life apart from beautifying herself in the hope to hide the ugly heart that she had. She came up with one plan after another to ruin Haider and Dilnasheen’s life and failed to understand that she should mind her own business. The most absurd thing the writer did was give Mehmal a happy ending with her husband lovingly returning to her. Mehmal never once showed remorse or was held accountable for the mess she created in Haider’s life.

Zunaira (Amanat)

Saboor Aly can really do well in negative characters, she proved it in the drama serial Fitrat which actually brought a lot of attention to her and gave her career a push that she was after. However, despite the fact that her character was so evil in Fitrat, Saboor Aly still made it an enjoyable experience to watch, but when it comes to the character of Zunaira in the drama serial Amanat, she is on another level. There is absolutely nothing about Zunaira that is realistic, relatable, understandable, or even tolerable. Saboor Aly has worked really hard on her styling to make herself look different from Fariya of Fitrat but she has also taken her performance and expressions to another level which makes it a painful experience to tune to Amanat. The drama Amanat on its own is such a poorly and badly executed drama therefore seeing Saboor Aly’s as Zunaira is as worse as it gets. Now Zunaira’s only motive in life is to make the life of Meher and Zarar a living hell, seriously girls get a life!

Rida (Mujhe Vida Kar)

Out of all the forced becharis we watched in dramas this year, Rida definitely deserves to be on top of the list. This character had absolutely no personality! This was the kind of character you feel absolutely nothing for and as a consequence watching her story on the screen turned out to be a complete waste of time. Although Rida was the main lead in the drama, she had absolutely no screen presence at all. This was one of the most poorly etched out characters we saw in dramas in 2021.

Usman (Mujhe Vida Kar)

The male protagonist of Mujhe Vida Kar was just as lame as the female lead. Firstly, he just disappeared and when he came back he treated the wife he claimed to love in a manner that made the viewers wonder what was going on in his mind. Even though this character got enough screen time, nothing he did was engaging and everything about him made us question what the writer was thinking while penning down this character.

Meera (Khwaab Nagar Ki Shehzadi)

It is especially unfortunate when a character that starts off as a strong and likable one turns into the worst character in a drama. All those viewers who watched Khwaab Nagar Ki Shehzadi will agree that in the beginning few episodes Meera was the reason why most people enjoyed watching the show. She was introduced as an intelligent, well-educated, polite, and caring young woman. Meera was also shown as someone who trusted people too easily and this part of her personality was also tolerable in the beginning. With time, however, Meera turned into a complete bechari aurat who forgot she was anything beyond her useless husband’s wife! Her initial reaction when she found out that her husband was having an affair made more sense than what we got to watch in the later episodes! Meera literally looked at Saim even after everything he did as if she had a reason to expect better from him. The weaknesses in her personality were sudden and forced. Since the producers were so sure that the viewers love to see a heroine cry on screen, they put Meera through the worst even though she had no reason to put herself through any of it. Meera’s favorite hobbies included feeling sorry for herself and trying her best not to move on for the longest time! Her problems could easily be solved if she decided to move out of the house yet she chose to stay there and get insulted day in and day out. Meera’s character was as ridiculous as it gets! The only saving grace was that she did not accept Saim’s apology in the end but that did not make up for all the forced becharapan the viewers watched for 20 weeks or so.

Munir (Khwaab Nagar Ki Shehzadi)

This was another character from Khwaab Nagar Ki Shehzadi who came across as a likable one in the beginning. However, as the story progressed Munir’s character turned into a ridiculous mess. When Munir’s character was introduced in the drama it seemed as if he was a gentleman but his true colors were revealed when he found out that Saim had an affair with the maasi! He took this news a little too personally which made little sense. His reaction was over-the-top. to say the least, and he took this opportunity to judge his wife every chance he got. The writer definitely went overboard while penning down this character. Munir’s holier-than-thou attitude was really annoying and the actor playing the role made it even more so! He was another character on this list that could easily be categorized as useless. His scenes were so difficult to watch that forwarding them was the best and perhaps the only option.

Saim (Khwaab Nagar Ki Shehzadi)

Saim was the main lead in the drama serial Khwaab Nagar Ki Shehzadi who single-handedly ruined his marriage and took one bad decision after the other. Pakistani writers quite often use a foolish man to create neverending problems for the leading lady and Saim was one such character. Much of what he did made no sense! The way a perfectly well-settled and happy married man decided to cheat on his wife was in bad taste. Later on, he turned into someone who was incapable of thinking on his own. He can easily be termed as the top contender for the most foolish characters we watched on screen. This character had absolutely nothing going for it yet he was the central character in the story. Saim was not just shallow but also someone who lacked any attributes which the viewers could have found engaging or convincing.

Fari (Qissa Meherbano Ka)

Fari is one of those many females in Pakistani dramas this year who lacked self-respect and continued loving a man even though his flaws were a little too apparent. She is a seemingly smart and even rich woman who somehow fell in love with a greedy man and even after all these years she fails to see just how unworthy this man is. She is simply in the drama to create the two wives fighting over a husband situation, otherwise, this character has nothing appealing about it at all. Mashal Khan really needs to stop playing these roles! She is capable of playing meatier roles therefore she should choose the projects she works in wisely.

Murad’s Mother (Qissa Meherbano Ka)

Clearly, the writer of this drama did not put in a lot of thought into penning down the characters which is why they lack some serious clarity! Murad’s mother is the one because of whom many of the important developments in the drama occurred yet this character is so illogical. This woman is greedy and unreasonable – that is all that there is to her character! Her grudges against everyone and her never-ending hate make her one of the most unbearable characters in the drama. Even the negative characters in the dramas have a background and some logic but this one doesn’t have any which makes her one of the worst supporting characters we saw in dramas this year.

Maham (Mohlat)

Pakistani writers use the selfish and greedy female leads often to make the other female, who is most often the sister, look like the biggest victim. Mohlat’s writer did just that while penning down Maham’s character. Maham did not have a single positive trait and her toxicity was the defining trait of her personality. She was not loyal even to her mother. Sibling rivalry was once again used in this drama and just like always, the evil sister Maham had the same characteristics as all such characters. We wish that our writers should just stop writing such characters and then give them the same old done-to-death endings.

Tara (Mohabbatein Chahatein)

Tara definitely had some psychological problems yet these issues were never addressed as such. She had to be one of the most strangely twisted characters we saw in dramas this year. Her obsession with every man who showed affection towards Sneha was laughable. Tara was a grown-up woman who acted like a spoiled toddler. This character was negative and toxic for no reason. Watching Tara’s antics was boring since her character was penned down so poorly.

Azar (Wafa Be Mol)

Azar was one of the many loser men in Pakistani dramas who fell for every single conspiracy-like it was his job to do so. A man who came across as an intelligent person failed to use his brains when it came to relationships. The most annoying aspect of this character is that even now when he is asking everyone for forgiveness, he continues blaming his father and Nazi for everything he had done. Azar’s stupidities were endless and it was impossible to feel for this character. It is certainly disappointing that someone like Ali Abbas chose to play this character.

Aswad (Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay)

Aswad is the main lead in drama serial Hum Kahan ke Sachay Thay. He is another one of those many men in Pakistani dramas who refuse to take responsibility for their actions. This character has confused the viewers more than once since his actions most often do not match what the viewers perceive from his interactions with different characters. He lead Mashal on and then was surprised that she felt led down when he could not commit to her. He also fell for every single lie he was told and the ‘punishment’ he chose for Mehreen had to be the worst part of his track! After telling Mehreen that he married her so that he could punish her for the rest of her life, he was ready to leave for America! Aswad has us wondering, what does he want? We are just as clueless as he is! He is a ‘polished’ and modern version of Azar!

Nimra (Ishq Hai)

Another day, another obsessed idiotic character who would do anything to get married to a married man, why? Because her sister instilled the idea of her and Shahzaib into her empty brain and she couldn’t think straight after that! This was the only reason that was given to justify the way Nimra behaved like a lunatic chasing after Shahzaib. She was never held accountable for her obsessive nature, rather her sister Sameera was shown to be smirking about the fact that she has been blessed with a younger sister like Nimra who can’t use her brains because she doesn’t have one in her skull. Mahenur Haider really needs to go for more easy and subtle characters, even if she is playing a negative one. Seeing her screaming in Ishq Hai made us want to throw the TV out of the window. Her screeching would put the tyres of any luxury car to shame, she was intolerable!

Haris (Ishq Hai)

Another day, another loser in the history of Pakistani dramas. It won’t be wrong to say that this loserish character was played convincingly by Hammad Shoaib but because his dialogue delivery is so so weak, it made it hard to take him seriously in Ishq Hai – not that he was meant to be taken seriously in the first place. Haris had absolutely nothing going on in his life that is why the moment he landed from London, he fell in love with Isra so hard that he couldn’t imagine living his life without her, despite knowing that she was in love and even married to Shahzaib. Haris was shown to be a London ka aashiq but ended up looking like a landay ka aashiq!

Abba Miyan (Qissa Meherbano Ka)

We’re pretty sure the vase that fell on Abba Miyan’s head in the drama serial Neeli Zinda Hai is showing its adverse effects in Qissa Meherbano Ka. This is the only justification that could be used for Abba Miyan’s non-sensical behavior and uselessness. Abba Miyan is shown to be such an emotional wreck that he literally ended up ruining his son’s life and only to compensate for what he did, he ended up ruining 10 years of Meherbano’s life too. Abba Miyan has so much property but he thinks it is perfectly fine to let his remaining 2 family members starve but not sell out those properties, shift to a smaller house and lead a life decently. Abba Miyan always has a no for an answer citing money issues as an excuse, which makes one wonder why does he like to hover in such a huge mansion aimlessly and how does he manage the cleaning now that Meherbano is gone and Noor is pretty useless too. Mohammad Ahmed is such a fine actor, it is painful to see him portraying such a character that has absolutely nothing to offer.

Mariam (Mere Apne)

Another day, another desperado dying to get married to her cousin who was happily married to his cousin, lol. Not sure whether to call her Mariam or ping pong ball because she left no stone unturned in making her way into her Khala’s house by hook or by crook. First, she was mentally in love with Umar, then after he got married to Neha, Mariam agreed to get married to Umar’s younger brother Usama, so much so that she pressurized her mother to pursue this proposal. After Usama rejected her, Mariam left Umar and Usama and after killing her sister and her unborn child, she happily got married to her sister’s husband Kashif. Her only motive behind getting married to Kashif was that she wanted to make Neha’s life miserable who was now a widow of Umar, whom Mariam loved with all her heart? How twisted and psychotic a character be, you can look at Mariam. Inaya Khan is a very confident actor, therefore she should choose her projects wisely and not settle for such cheap characters.

Raheela (Kasa e Dil)

Raheela was another gone case who was taking revenge from her sister-in-law Somya only because the khala ka beta she loved was in love with Somya. Raheela succeeded in creating so many misunderstandings between Somya and Hatim that they called their wedding off, but she didn’t stop there. After Somya got married to Adan, she continued to make her life miserable by creating more misunderstandings and adding fuel to the fire. It was frustrating to see such a negative character who absolutely had no life of her own and the only motive of her life was to ruin relationships – she was working as a perfect agent of Shaitaan by causing a rift between a husband and a wife. We’re sure by the time the drama ended, she must’ve gotten a lot of bonuses and increments for being an employee of the season. Sukaina Khan is a good actor too, she definitely should pick her characters wisely.

Asma (Dour)

When the drama serial Dour began, Asma was shown to be a confident young girl who was not afraid of speaking her mind. She was raised like that by her father but after getting married, it is frustrating to see her struggling to even speak about basic things which need some explanation to clear the air about herself. She is being constantly misunderstood and Asma’s frustrating silence adds more to it. It is like she expects that miraculously, her husband will understand everything therefore she doesn’t have to do anything, apart from rolling her eyes like an emoji. Hina Altaf definitely can do better, for once should take a break from Geo TV and work on some other channels that give her some good characters to play.

This completes the list of worst characters seen in Pakistani dramas in 2021. Which are the worst characters that you came across this year in Pakistani dramas? Feel free to share your opinion in the comment section below.

Pakistani drama writers understand that a drama needs a strong storyline and well etched-out characters in order to engage the viewers and leave a lasting impression. Nowadays many writers bank on shortcuts to make their characters attractive therefore any character that fits the bill is highly appreciated. The bechari aurat is the easiest and most commonly used shortcut. Black and white characters are also considered an easy way to gain the sympathies of the viewers or to make them hate a character. What makes an on-screen character truly impressive is firstly when it is not clichéd, secondly, it is not one-dimensional and most importantly the viewers should be able to relate to the character. Whether the character is good, bad, or grey the motives and personality traits of the character should not confuse the viewers. If a character is unpredictable then that is great but logic comes before everything else.

Out of all the Pakistani dramas that aired in 2021 here is the list of those female characters that can easily be termed as the best:

Mehreen (Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay)

It won’t be wrong to say that Mehreen happens to be such a character which is rarely seen in a Pakistani drama. Writer Umera Ahmed has definitely brought something new to the table by giving so many layers to Mehreen. The best part about her character is how she always tries to fight and come up with solutions against all odds. Things have never been in Mehreen’s favor but she still tries to steer through whatever life pans out for her. The thing that sets her apart is how broken she is but never ever uses her miseries to seek sympathy or even validation from anyone. Mehreen happens to be the most misunderstood person in the family with almost everyone against her. In Pakistani dramas, where we get to see so many ‘bechari’ female characters, Mehreen definitely stands out that where as much as you feel for, you can also see why she behaves the way she does & that definitely makes her a very interesting character. Mahira Khan has definitely done justice to Mehreen’s character by portraying all the shades of her personality phenomenally.

Almas (Azmaish)

When you look at Almas’s character in the drama serial Azmaish, the only word that comes to your mind is how ‘nurturing’ she is. Although we would’ve hoped that at least she had a bit more confidence and say in the matters concerning her daughter’s life but she was shown to be extremely submissive. This was again her way of being obliged and grateful to her second husband for providing a decent living to her daughter Nimra. Almas was someone who always had the best interest of everyone around her, even Shiza and Samreen who never truly respected or accepted her as their mother. Almas was always in a difficult situation but she still pushed through with patience and perseverance knowing this was the only way to keep the entire family together. Laila Wasti has always been graceful and she was at her finest in the drama serial Azmaish.

Minal (Dunk)

Minal’s character in the drama serial Dunk was definitely a breath of fresh air. It is always nice to see such characters who stand by the truth and push through no matter what. Minal stood by Haider when everyone, including his own family, disowned him and chose not to trust him. Minal did have her rough patches where she found it hard to stay firm. The best aspect about Minal’s character was her approach towards everything that Haider was going through and most importantly, never settling for half-baked explanations. Minal always looked for answers and the complete picture because she knew this was going to help her stay focused and also allow her to be with Haider in tough times. Minal chose to trust Haider when no one trusted him, making her a strong companion and a character as well. It was good to see Azekah Daniel playing such a substantial character that too convincingly.

Saira (Dunk)

Saira’s journey in the drama serial Dunk was full of ups and downs but the best part about her was her strength and courage as a woman to accept and shape her life accordingly. Saira lost her husband but she never once questioned his character and credibility. Saira understood that she had a young child, for whom she had to be strong. Saira and Humayun’s daughter was already facing so much at a tender age and although Saira took her time to mourn the loss of her husband, she realized that she had to pick herself up only for the sake of her child. Saira not only forgave Haider but chose to be a bigger person to understand how he was manipulated too. Yasra Rizvi is a measured performer and she got to showcase that in the drama serial Dunk.

Zeba (Phaans)

The story of the drama serial Phaans was all about the survivor and it was nothing short of a treat to see a strong character like Zeba. She knew that she was going against the tide but she turned her misfortune into fuel that ignited the passion in her to fight for justice. Zeba was put through so much but she stayed focused because she knew she wanted to see her abuser behind the bars. At the beginning of the drama, Zeba was shown as a wise and intelligent girl and it was nice to see her character arc where she relied on herself and didn’t settle for what others offered to her. Zeba did find a strong support system in the form of her mother and Samad, but it was only because her courage was unwavering that they also found the courage to stand by her. Zara Noor Abbas gave Zeba’s character the right kind of treatment to make this performance as well as the character memorable.

Falak (Laapata)

Drama serial Laapata focused on the younger generation and the problems faced by them on different fronts in life. In Falak’s journey, her mistake was trusting the wrong person but the way she emerged from it showed how strong she was if she put her mind to something. Falak was fierce and self-sufficient but it didn’t turn her aloof or emotionally unavailable. She was always very much affected by what her family members went through. This is exactly why she kept everything to herself because she didn’t want her father to be upset. Another brilliant aspect of Falak’s journey was that she did not shy away from happiness and when life gave her the opportunity, she settled for it. Falak was someone who lived life her way and because she was always so sorted, she ended up winning the support of her family too. Sarah Khan was a perfect choice to play the character of Falak, she was a perfect mix of strong and sweet.

Fatima (Wafa Be Mol)

Wafa Be Mol is another drama serial that has quite a few characters which can easily be termed as cliched but it also has some exceptional characters and Fatima is one of them. Fatima is one of the most intelligent and caring young ladies we got to see in dramas this year. Her intelligent and nurturing nature makes her a really likable character. We look forward to her scenes and she never disappoints.

Navera (Mohlat)

Although the story of the drama serial Mohlat was centered around Maham’s character, it won’t be wrong to say that Navera caught more attention because of the total contrast between Maham and Navera’s personalities. Navera always felt unwelcomed and unwanted, she suffered from low self-esteem but despite such grave circumstances, she still had the courage to stand by the right. Navera found the support she needed from her sister Rida and that was enough for her to understand how much potential she herself had. Navera was always neglected but she was so nurturing and understood what neglect and rejection do to you. This is exactly why she chose to be the complete opposite of that and with this, she was able to win everyone over. Navera’s journey wasn’t easy but her kindness and confidence turned things around for her. Komal Aziz Khan was definitely the star of this show and she brought a lot of warmth in a drama that was so focused on the negativity churned out by Maham.

Rida (Mohlat)

Rida’s character was definitely fun to watch. She was the kind of person who had a very easy-going approach to life. Rida was someone who would always look for comedy in situations but that didn’t mean she did not understand the intricacies of relationships, circumstances, and life. In so many instances, Rida always used to be the voice of reason and because she never took things to her heart, she believed in seeing things for what they were and calling spade a spade. This is what made Rida’s character so special and enjoyable to watch. Sabeena Farooq’s effortless acting and dialogue delivery made this character a lot more special.

Bubbly (Parizaad)

Bubbly is a one-of-a-kind character from the drama serial Parizaad which breaks stereotypes and highlights so many important aspects about people who cannot identify with the gender they are born with. The reason for this ‘confusion’ and the conflict within Bubbly has been shown with utmost clarity. You feel for this character and it helps you learn more about people who face similar struggles. It is always great to see writers penning down such exceptional characters. Saboor Aly’s performance also raised the bar really high.

Haider’s Mother (Fitoor)

In the drama serial Fitoor, it won’t be wrong to say that the only wise and rational character was Haider’s mother played beautifully by Ismat Zaidi. She saw how hard her only child has struggled and how long it took him to move past the heartbreak, therefore she was adamant to turn things around. She was the kind of mother who understood and adored her son but was also not afraid to call him out when she felt he was losing sight of rationality. She did what it takes to make her daughter-in-law Dilnasheen feel welcomed and a part of the family. She realized that because Haider was still preoccupied with the thoughts of Mehmal, it was affecting his relationship with Dilnasheen and for that, she was being the voice of reason and called spade a spade. In Pakistani dramas, it is a rarity to find such mothers-in-law who do not turn a blind eye to the faults of their own sons, therefore this character is not only refreshing but the best one from the drama serial Fitoor.

Afreen (Aulaad)

Afreen was a breath of fresh air in the drama serial Aulaad which had many selfish and negative characters. Afreen was a woman who was caring and loving, even though her husband did not support his parents but she always tried her best to make her husband understand that he was not being fair. She had some really positive traits but she was not been able to ‘help’ her husband or his family the way she would have wanted to. Even though she disagreed with her husband on so many things but she went along with whatever he decided and did so without coming across as a bechari. The writer through this character showed that sometimes the daughters-in-law can give the kind of love to their parents-in-law which the sons do not. Since there were two other daughters-in-law in the drama who were selfish and manipulative, Afreen balanced out this negativity and kept the portrayals from being stereotypical. Sunita Marshal pulled off this character elegantly throughout hence making it stand out.

Mooni (Aulaad)

We were genuinely pleased to see an accurate representation of people with special needs in Aulaad. Mooni was one such character who had certain challenges because of which her parents had to constantly struggle to keep her situation from getting worse. Since every character in this drama served a bigger purpose, we feel that Mooni also served the purpose of making people see that such people need unconditional love. They are also sensitive and loving individuals who are easily disturbed if they are met with challenges that are incredibly overwhelming. Through this character, the writer also showed how important the support of the entire family is in order to keep such family members from feeling alienated. Mooni’s tragic ending was one of the most emotional moments of this drama. Qudsia Ali’s effortless portrayal made the viewers fall in love with her character. Mooni’s exit from the drama proved to be a turning point for many characters in the drama.

Sumbul (Dil Na Umeed Tu Nahin)

Sumbul was the main lead in drama serial Dil Na Umeed Tu Nahin. Despite of everything that happened to her, she never gave up and continued fighting for her freedom. Her backstory was presented on screen in such a way that the viewers had no difficulty relating to who Sumbul was and what shaped up her personality from the start. She was sold to Surraya auntie at a young age and even though she had been living this life for so long, she did not only wish to be free herself one day but she had a bigger objective of freeing all the other girls as well. Strong, sensitive, fearless, and wise, Sumbul was the kind of leading lady who reaffirms our faith in Pakistani dramas. Her journey was carried forward convincingly and her ending was perfect. Yumna Zaidi’s brilliant performance has definitely added more intensity to this character.

Najma (Dil Na Umeed Tu Nahin)

Dil Na Umeed Tu Nahin had so many strong supporting characters, Najma was one of them. Najma was a mother who supported her daughters even though it required going against her husband’s will most of the time. She was not a rebel but an intelligent woman who made a difference bit by bit. The character had been written down logically and translated on screen convincingly. She was a caring and nurturing woman who fought against all odds and was wise enough to know the challenges she faced. Samiya Mumtaz made Najma’s character a treat to watch because she brought out her gentle and caring nature superbly on screen.

Surraya (Dil Na Umeed Tu Nahin)

Surraya auntie ran a brothel and she was once a young girl who was sold just like all the other girls who worked for her. She lacked empathy; she was also highly manipulative and materialistic. This was another character that aptly represented a vicious circle. Even though she was once a victim of human trafficking, she did not think twice before putting the girls’ lives in danger. She learned to be cruel at a young age therefore all she cared about were material gains. The way she exploited girls and manipulated them was presented so well on screen. Her ending showed how she too was no more than a puppet in the hands of those who were behind the scenes running everything. Navid Shehzad was absolutely phenomenal in this role.

Hajra (Raqeeb Se)

In the drama serial Raqeeb Se, the writer Bee Gul has brought forth such a situation which has probably not been seen before in any other Pakistani drama. Through the character of Hajra, the writer has shown how big-hearted a woman can be, how selfless she can be and when she puts her mind to it, how nurturing she can be for everyone around her. Hajra loved her husband and justified it every step of the way and this is why she put everyone around her in perplexity when they saw her calmness and selflessness. Hajra’s love for Maqsood was her strength, which made her selfless to accept the fact that her husband can share his life with a woman he had loved all his life. Hajra was like the binding force of this entire family and although she never gave herself enough credit, she was an integral part of Maqsood’s life who provided him the home, the comfort he needed after all that he went through. Sania Saeed breathed life into this character and made it a lot more special.

Sakina (Raqeeb Se)

Sakina had a tough life, she knew that she won’t be able to find happiness in her life but she chose to pay the price in order to ensure the safety and life of the man she loved. Sakina was full of secrets but she chose silence over everything because she came to terms with what her life had offered her. She loved Maqsood all her life but just because she realized that he has a life of his own, she felt burdened being around him. Sakina never denied loving Maqsood but her respect towards him was bigger than the love she had for him. Hadiqa Kiyani’s portrayal of Sakina was so measured that actually made you feel her pain. This character wouldn’t have left such an impact if it wasn’t for Hadiqa Kiyani’s brilliant performance.

Insha (Raqeeb Se)

As is evident from many of the names included in this list, we absolutely love strong female protagonists who use their strength wisely. Insha was one such character from Raqeeb Se. She was a working woman who was raised by her father in such a way so that she could be completely independent. She was also extremely sensitive which is why she noticed when her father did not love her mother the way she deserved to be loved. Insha was a feminist with a heart of gold. Her relationships were used in an effective manner to show her strengths and weaknesses. This character wouldn’t have been so impactful had Faryal Mehmood not translated it superbly on screen. Insha will surely be remembered for a long time.

Nargis (Pehli Si Mohabbat)

Nargis was fierce, she was confident and she was sorted. Nargis had dealt with her fair shares of heartbreak and had seen the ugliest side of life up close, therefore she came to the point that whatever her life was offering her, she had to cherish and value it. This is exactly why she turned out to be such a dutiful and sincere wife and accepted her stepdaughter with all her heart. Nargis was the kind of person who liked to empower others around her even if it meant she had to give up and nurture it by sacrificing a great deal. Nargis’ character was so layered but the best part about her was that she treated people the way they deserve to be treated – she could be your absolute best friend or your total nightmare, given what you wanted her to be. Nargis was wise, intelligent, and had a very distinct perspective towards life. The best part about Nargis was that she never shied away from speaking her mind and she was always right. It won’t be wrong to say, this is one character that has put Rabia Butt’s name on the map. Nargis was definitely the best character seen in a Pakistani drama this year. She is going to stay with the viewers for a long long time.

Zainab (Pehli Si Mohabbat)

Zainab had faced rejection, sadness, and heartbreak, and although she had come to terms with it, she was still recovering. The sad part was that because her own family, especially her brother and her mother chose not to hear her out and trust her, she found it hard to move on. Zainab was a depiction of helpless and hopeless women in society who could have had a better chance at life but were ripped off of their happiness. It was beautiful how despite not having much to give, she at least understood what her younger brother was facing and was always there to support him. Zainab came up with some of the most profound advice for Aslam and the relationship she shared with him was simply beautiful. Uzma Hassan was at her finest in Pehli Si Mohabbat and it won’t be wrong to say, she and Rabia Butt were the only good thing about this entire drama.

Zubi (Pardes)

Pardes was an exceptional drama serial that had so many different characters. Zubaida was the leading lady in the drama whose journey was covered in a convincing manner. Through this character, the writer highlighted the troubles of all those women who had to raise their children on their own and had to constantly compromise. Even though Zubaida always put everyone else before her own self, she was somehow a likable character. She lived her life in a dignified manner and got the kind of ending which was gratifying. Shaista Lodhi made a really intelligent move by choosing to play this role and she did complete justice to it.

Aimen (Pardes)

Aimen’s journey in Pardes started when she was a kid. The viewers watched this kid witnessing the double standards of her immediate family. She also witnessed how her father’s absence and everyone’s selfishness made her childhood bitter and her mother’s life difficult. She grew up to be an outspoken and confident young woman who had certain vulnerabilities and insecurities as well. However, she always spoke her mind whenever she felt that someone was not being fair. Her character was the center of attention for all the right reasons. Durr-e-Fishan acted brilliantly throughout, making Aimen a memorable character.

Noor (Aakhir Kab Tak)

It is always refreshing watching strong female characters on screen. Noor is one such character from Aakhir Kab Tak who is fierce, intelligent, loving, and caring. Even though she was raised in a household where she watched her mother suffering constantly, she refused to accept the norms set by her family. Her character has been etched out brilliantly because there isn’t a single situation where she uses her confidence in a way that would make the viewers question her. Her character has played a major role in bringing about much-needed changes in the way things work in the house. She has through her insight and knowledge turned her father’s business into a complete success. If it weren’t for Noor, her mother would never have realized all the mistakes which she made. Ushna Shah’s brilliant performance makes this character even more likable.

Fajar (Aakhir Kab Tak)

Fajar’s character is completely different from Noor’s; she lacks confidence and depends entirely on her sister for support. Her character perfectly and aptly shows how constant disapproval and scorning affect a child’s personality. Even though Fajar lacks confidence and is socially awkward, she has always been shown as someone who is completely capable of critical thinking. The only reason she was targeted by her class fellow to be the next victim was her timid personality. The writer has through this character shown that rape victims cannot just move on after finding a partner who loves them but they need help from professionals. Usually, such characters are one-dimensional but Fajar’s character isn’t so. Srha Asghar’s performance makes this character even more convincing.

Safia (Aakhir Kab Tak)

For the longest time, Safia was the weakest character in the drama serial Aakhir Kab Tak and perhaps also one which we have seen in dramas many times before. What makes her eligible for this list is the fact that this character underwent a massive transformation which was shown realistically. Even when Safia was being physically and verbally abused by her husband and other people in the house, the writer used this character to send such a strong message to all the mothers out there about how not to raise their children! Although there are many dramas in which such helpless mothers are shown but Safia’s struggles truly resonated with the viewers because the impact they had on her life and on her children’s lives had been shown on screen so aptly. Apart from this, the change in her character has been the best. Javeria Abbasi’s impressive performance made it even easier for us to relate to this well-written character.

This completes the list of best female characters seen in Pakistani dramas this year. Which one of these is your favorite? Feel free to add more names and share your opinion in the comment section below.