Glamour’s Dark Shadow

The Pakistani entertainment industry, while a powerhouse of cultural export and economic growth, masks a deeply entrenched system of exploitation against women. This exploitation is multifaceted, ranging from the reinforcement of regressive social tropes on-screen to systemic workplace abuses off-screen. Despite the industry’s outward glamour, female professionals—from A-list actresses to behind-the-scenes crew members—often navigate an environment that commodifies their presence while stripping them of their agency.

One of the most visible forms of exploitation is the narrative content itself. Pakistani television dramas, which dominate South Asian airwaves, have increasingly shifted toward misogyny for ratings. Plotlines frequently center on the damsel in distress archetype, where women are expected to endure domestic violence, verbal abuse, and betrayal with silent patience.

By romanticizing toxic behaviors—such as heroines falling for their kidnappers or abusers—the industry exploits the female image to cater to patriarchal sensibilities. This creates a feedback loop: production houses prioritize these tragic roles because they are profitable, forcing talented actresses to choose between professional unemployment or portraying characters that reinforce their own social subjugation.

Beyond the screen, the industry’s lack of formal structure makes it a breeding ground for harassment. High-profile cases, such as those highlighted during the #MeToo movement, have exposed a culture where powerful men exert gatekeeping control over women’s careers.

The absence of robust Human Resource (HR) departments in production houses means that most women have no formal channel to report abuse. When women do speak out, they are often met with victim-blaming or industry blacklisting, as seen in recent years with several actresses who chose to leave the industry entirely rather than continue to endure PTSD-inducing work environments.

Economic exploitation also remains rampant. While top-tier actresses may command high fees, the gender pay gap persists, particularly among supporting cast and technical staff. Furthermore, women in the industry face a unique morality tax. In a conservative society, female entertainers are often judged by a different standard than their male counterparts. This social stigma is exploited by media outlets through sensationalist clickbait and moral policing of actresses' personal lives, which drives digital traffic at the cost of the woman's mental health and safety.

The exploitation of women in the Pakistani entertainment industry is not just an internal professional issue; it is a reflection of broader societal inequalities. Until there is a shift from profit-driven sensationalism to ethical storytelling, and from informal boys' club networks to regulated workplace environments, the industry will continue to thrive at the expense of the very women who power it. Turning the tide requires more than just a few empowering scripts; it requires a systemic overhaul where the safety and dignity of women are seen as non-negotiable.