Pamaal is not just a drama — it is the story of millions of Pakistani women. Every scene, every emotion, and every silence has been portrayed with painful honesty, capturing realities that often go unnoticed.

At the heart of the story is a young woman who begins her journey carrying countless dreams, searching for a life partner who will walk beside her. But somewhere along the way, she leaves every dream behind for the sake of that relationship. This is the quiet sacrifice so many women make — one that is rarely acknowledged.

A woman breaks and rebuilds herself countless times in a single day, yet the world never sees it. She is expected to do everything perfectly — without mistakes, without complaint. Over time, she herself forgets that she is human, that to err is natural. Caught in an endless race for perfection, she convinces herself that she cannot afford to fail.

So many women are merely existing, not truly living. The most heartbreaking reality is that toxicity becomes so normalized that cruelty no longer feels wrong. Gradually, they accept the idea that their identity is limited to being just a wife or a mother — while their own existence fades quietly into the background.

We already knew that Pamaal was based on a real story. What remained a mystery was whose story it truly was.

Saba Qamar, the lead actress of the drama, revealed in an interview that this is indeed a true story. She shared that she had personally met the woman whose life inspired the drama — and that the woman herself narrated her painful journey to her. However, Saba made it clear that she could not disclose her identity.

Recently, another interview shed new light on this mystery. The drama’s writer, Zanjabeel Asim Shah, shared subtle yet revealing hints. She spoke about experiencing many of the same struggles depicted in the story. She also revealed that her husband was diagnosed with cancer — a detail that closely aligns with the narrative of Pamaal. So, this may be a story of the writer who is Zanjabeel Asim Shah.

These revelations strongly suggest that Pamaal is not merely inspired by reality — it may very well be the writer’s own lived truth. Through her words, she has transformed personal pain, wounds, and silent suffering into a story that resonates with countless women.

Pamaal is not fiction. It is a mirror — and in it, many women finally see themselves.

 Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)