“I will always champion rights for all:” Barzakh director defends homosexuality

Following backlash over the portrayal of affection between two men in the popular fantasy drama Barzakh, writer and director Asim Abbasi advised viewers, who are uncomfortable with homosexuality, can abstain from watching the series.

Taking to Instagram, Abbasi shared a screenshot of a message from a fan criticising him for promoting homosexuality in his projects, first in Churails and now in Barzakh.

“With all due respect, if you find queer/non-heteronormative storylines distasteful, please do not watch my content,” he stated on his Instagram story.

Asim asserted that he would continue to “champion the rights for all and tell stories” that he believed in.

Barzakh, starring Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, was highly anticipated before its release due to the reunion of the on-screen couple and its unconventional fantasy storyline.

However, the third episode of Barzakh featured romantic scenes between two male characters.

The portrayal of two male characters with unconventional sexual orientations prompted fans to accuse the series director of promoting a "Western agenda".

Netizens called for a boycott of the series, with many stating that it indoctrinates people to accept same-sex relationships, which goes against their religious and cultural values.