Mehreen Jabbar Says Political Factors Have Limited Pakistani Content on Netflix

Her comments have ignited fresh debate online regarding the portrayal of South Asian stories on international streaming platforms.

Mehreen Jabbar’s view
The acclaimed director spoke about the lack of visibility of Pakistani productions on Netflix despite the rising international interest in a recent interview.

“The problem is not that the content is not good enough in Pakistan. The problem is the external factors,” Jabbar said. 

She said, “Pakistan has produced work that can appeal to global audiences, but politics has been a major reason for not seeing wider representation on platforms like Netflix.”

Comments on Netflix's regional business
Talking about the challenges, Jabbar said that the regional headquarters of Netflix are in India. 

She said that this, combined with India’s much bigger consumer market, has influenced how the platform prioritises content for the region.

The director was clear that these were her personal views expressed in the interview. There has been no official response from Netflix to her comments.

Here’s hoping for more Pakistani representation
But Jabbar is still hopeful in the face of challenges. Pakistani originals on international streaming platforms can offer more opportunities for filmmakers and actors from the country, she said.

“It will help showcase our storytelling and creative talent to the world if we have more Pakistani stories reaching global audiences,” she added.

Continue the discussion online
The interview was met with mixed reactions on social media after it aired.

Some users supported Jabbar, saying they wanted to see more Pakistani content on international platforms. Others said content selection is based on a combination of commercial, creative, and licensing factors, not politics alone.

The talk yet again pointed out the increasing appetite for diverse South Asian stories on OTT platforms and where Pakistani cinema fits into that conversation.