Nijaat (Urdu: نجات, English: Salvation) is a 13-episode 1993 Pakistani television drama serial produced and broadcast by Pakistan Television. The drama shows the different roles of women in Pakistan. Through focusing on the lives of three women, it compares the lot of women in the rural and urban life. It emphasizes family planning, ending child labor and initiating community health reforms.

Plot

This drama is based on the interwinding stories of three families in a town Gharo in Pakistan: Zareena, a health worker, and her family; Huzoor Bakhsh and Sajida, who has had so many children that she has very poor health; and Ali Asad, an Assistant Commissioner and his wife Tania. The drama follows their hopes and frustrations as they strive for a better future while trying to hang on to the past.

Cast and characters

CharacterPlayed byNotes
Huzoor BakhshNoman IjazHunter and later tries to establish a shop.
SajidaAtiqa OdhoHousewife facing maternity and other domestic issues. She helps Tania in her handicrafts (embroidery) institute.
ZareenaHuma NawabNurse at the local clinic
Ali AsadSajid HasanAssistant Commissioner (Assistant Commissioner of the Tehsil. Before coming to the town, he was a medical doctor.
AkramKhawaja AkmalP.A to Assistant Commissioner.
TaniaMarina KhanWife of Assistant Commissioner. Previously, she was a model.
MakhdoomLatif KapadiaFather of three children, including Zareena. Seen as a character with no consideration of his family. He tried to marry young Kulsoom, in exchange for his daughter Razia for Qadir Baksh.
Qadir BakhshYousuf AliBrother of Huzoor Bakhsh. He came from Dubai. He helps set up a shop for his brother. He was involved in criminal smuggling including child smuggling. Typical man who likes to boast and share his good times with his people.
Masi TaqdeeraSalma ZafarMatch maker
Ustad jiMalik AnokhaOwner of the local hotel
ShafqatDurdana ButtShe is called Aapa.
Zehra KhatoonRehana AkhtarReligious preacher
KashiSajjad HassanSon of Huzoor Bakhsh. He tries to flee for the city. He is kidnapped by a criminal mafia in the city which trains him to pick pockets. Later, he ends up on the Qadir Bakhsh's boat with many other children, who are being smuggled to the Middle East.
TaariEmad HassanSon of Huzoor Bakhsh
KulsoomQurat Ul AinSister of Huzoor Bakhsh
RaziaAisha SaqibDaughter of Makhdoom
Master jiNisar QadriTeacher at the local school.
RasheedNaeem SiddiquiCompounder (pharmacist) at the local clinic.
Sansi BabaYaqoob ZakriaA nomad Sansi skinning and drying hunted foxes.
LuchmiNajma AliDaughter of Sansi Baba
Nabeel NoorNanhaSon of Makhdoom and friend of Kashi.
Baalla Dubai WalaAamir AliInvolved in child trafficking.
SarmadAslam LatarLabour union leader
MaulviTariq TirmaziCustodian of a local Madrasa.

Music

The background score is composed by Arshad Mehmood. The drama features the following songs:

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Mera dard naghma-e-bay-sada"Faiz Ahmad FaizNayyara Noor
2."Zard mitti ki aghosh mein"Tina Sani
3."Dekhte hi dekhte hamein pyar hua"Alamgir
4."Phool barsein pyar ki raahon main"Alamgir

Social Impact

A study was undertaken to evaluate the social impact of this drama on contract to Johns Hopkins University/Population Communication Services (JHU/PCS) by Aftab Associates (Pvt.) Ltd., Lahore, Pakistan. The support for this study was provided by International Development Research Center (IDRC), Canada. The usefulness of findings from qualitative evaluations of 'Nijaat' (and Alang-Alang in Indonesia) has led to further collaborations between JHU/PCS and filmmakers.

External links

  • , Watch complete PTV Drama Serial 'Nijaat' on YouTube, Retrieved 26 October 2016