As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s hard not to reflect on the women who have shaped our lives with silent strength, unyielding love and boundless sacrifice.
In Pakistan, television dramas are more than just entertainment, but a way to represent the nation and its unsung heroes. These dramas have birthed some of the most unforgettable characters of motherhood, reflecting the struggles and emotions of real mothers across the country.
These on-screen mothers aren’t just fictional portrayals, they are reflections of the mothers in our society. Mothers who are sometimes idealised, sometimes flawed, but always deeply human.
So, here are all the iconic mothers of the Pakistani Entertainment industry that deserve our praise:
Sajida Bibi in Udaari: A Mother’s Courage in the Face of Evil
Samiya Mumtaz’s portrayal of Sajida Bibi in Udaari was truly one of the strongest characters shown in Pakistani dramas. Sajida was not just a mother; she was a warrior. When her daughter was raped by the very man she trusted, Sajida did what many mothers in our society are afraid to do: she stood up, spoke out, and fought back.
Her pain was palpable, but so was her strength. Through her, Udaari challenged deeply ingrained taboos and showed that a mother’s love can be revolutionary too. Sajida became a beacon of hope for countless women who have endured pain in silence.
She showed how simple women can turn the world upside down when their children are at stake. It was an open message to the mothers of our nation to be the strength of their daughters.
Bilqees in Bilqees Kaur: A Matriarchal Woman of Steel
Played with unforgettable grace by Bushra Ansari, Bilqees in Bilqees Kaur was a strict, religious matriarch living in New York. The character was the perfect example of the fear of identity and respect being lost in society. It is a concept very prevalent among adults in Pakistan.
Bilqees Kaur strongly believed in the ‘spare the rod, spoil the child’ mentality and tried desperately to preserve her cultural roots. Often at the cost of her children’s happiness. Although Bilquees cuts a domineering figure, her past explains her bitterness. Having eloped with Iqbal and converted to Islam in her youth, she is eaten up by the guilt of her decisions and thus becomes adamant to instill traditional values in her children.
Behind that rigid exterior was just a mother who was full of fear. Her journey is the literal representation of the mothers of our nation who want the best for their children and often overlook the need to be soft and present.
Saliha in Dastaan: A Mother Torn by Partition
Who can forget Samina Peerzada’s haunting portrayal of Saliha in Dastaan? Set against the backdrop of Partition, Dastaan gave us a mother who lived through history’s most painful fracture and tried to hold her family together in the midst of it. This mother sacrificed her and honour for her daughter and died in the process it.
Saliha’s portrayal wasn’t just personal — it was national. Saliha’s grief, dignity and longing spoke to all those women who’ve lost children to war, migration and time. She’s amazing example to all mothers this Mother’s Day.
Farida in Humsafar : The Mother Who Loved too Fiercely
Perhaps one of the most talked-about maternal characters is Farida, played by Atiqa Odho in Humsafar. The character of Farida wasn’t the archetypal nurturing mother; she was ambitious, controlling and desperate to keep her son to herself.
And yet, as much as viewers loved to hate her, Farida was a reflection of the types of mothers that exist in our society. These mothers love so deeply that it turns into fear and possessiveness. Her fiery delivery of dialogues like ‘Woh mere Ashar k qabil nahi hai!’ and ‘Main usko doodh me makhi ki tarhan nikal dongi’! matched her obsession with perfection for her son.
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Her character sparked debate, but more than that, it sparked recognition. Just how willing mothers can be to get the best for their children, even if it makes them a villain.
Rafia in Zindagi Gulzar Hai – Quiet Strength and Unshakable Faith
Rafia, portrayed beautifully by Samina Peerzada in Zindagi Gulzar Hai, is the epitome of quiet strength. Abandoned by her husband and left to raise three daughters on her own, Rafia never once lets bitterness cloud her vision.
Instead, she empowered her daughters, especially Kashaf. She taught her to rise above their circumstances. She nurtured independence, confidence, and self-worth in her daughters.
Rafia’s quiet faith in her children and her unwavering dignity in the face of life’s injustices make her a character who continues to resonate deeply with viewers, especially, with real-life mothers who have suffered storms in silence.
Why These Mothers Matter
What makes these characters unforgettable isn’t just the performances — it’s how they speak to our collective experience. Pakistani mothers are often expected to be saints and martyrs, wise and selfless. But these dramas show us that mothers are also just humans with flaws, fears, dreams and heartbreaks.
The mothers of Pakistani television may be fictional, but their emotional truths are real. They taught us empathy. They made us cry. They helped us forgive. And maybe, just maybe, they helped us see our own mothers a little more clearly.
Happy Mother’s Day in Advance!
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