In a recent interview with Press Trust of India, Zindagi Gulzar Hai author Umera Ahmed said she was hopeful India's Zindagi channel will help dispel misconceptions about Pakistan.

The author further added that Pakistani television is dominated by women both off-screen and on-screen.

“Our image is shown as a regressive country, which does not treat its women well. But we have so many women artists here. In fact, most of the television writers are women,” added Ahmed.

She also said that Pakistan not only has female directors and producers, but an entire channel running by a woman.

"Pakistani TV is progressive and hence, characters that are shown are of today as well.”

"A feeling of alienation existed in India about life in Pakistan, because most of what was known was negative. So, everyone used to believe that things in our country are always bad and we don’t lead very happy lives.

“But this has changed to some extent. After watching our dramas, people now know that we [Pakistanis] lead our lives similar to the way they [Indians] live,” said Ahmed.

Zindagi Gulzar Hai, the romantic-social drama about the struggle of a middle-class girl, recently concluded its successful run on Zindagi channel.

Ahmed’s next show Maat, which replaces Zindagi Gulzar Hai is also a show centered on women. It is a story of two sisters with different perceptions and principles in life.

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