Filmmaker Shamoon Abbasi has weighed in on the limited presence of Pakistani content on global streaming platforms, arguing that the local entertainment industry still lacks the technical standards and globally relevant stories required by services such as Netflix.
In a video shared on Instagram, Abbasi responded to comments by ARY Digital CEO Salman Iqbal, who had said Netflix approached the channel for streaming rights but the offers were declined in favour of developing a Pakistani platform.
Abbasi called the idea impractical, saying a successful local streaming service would need support and content from several channels rather than relying on a single network.
He also addressed claims that Netflix’s regional operations in India were responsible for keeping Pakistani content off the platform. While acknowledging that politics may play a role, Abbasi said the industry must also examine whether its productions meet international requirements.
Recalling his own attempt to work with Netflix in 2017, the filmmaker said he received detailed technical specifications from aggregators. According to him, Pakistan still lacks expertise in areas such as HDR workflows, colour science and professional sound mixing.
Abbasi added that while Pakistani dramas are popular with local and diaspora audiences, most are built around family-centred stories that may not connect with wider international viewers. Global platforms, he said, seek broader narratives, including political conflicts, social issues, crime and other subjects with universal appeal.
