We don’t see a lot of children on Pakistani comedy television shows like Khabarnaak, Hasbe Haal, Muzaakraat or morning shows like Geo Pakistan, Subh Saverey Pakistan or even Good Morning Pakistan.

Looking at the entertainment industry, it sometimes feels as if Pakistan, as a country, has very few children or, maybe, entertainment is not for children just as politics is not for children.

However it seems that, after an extended hiatus, children have re-entered the entertainment industry. Lately, some plays have started featuring child actors in secondary roles.

These children are mostly seen playing a part in family dramas. Some of these dramas have been big hits, one of the reasons being the children in their plotline and their performances.

In most Pakistani drama series, the thematic focus ends up gravitating towards the institution of marriage. This does not give child actors a lot of creative freedom. In other words, the opportunities for child actors are restricted.

Let’s try to remember the rich tradition of children’s entertainment in Pakistan from some of the productions that were popular among the young audiences.

Let’s try to remember the rich tradition of children’s entertainment in Pakistan from some of the productions which were really popular among the young audiences.

Before 1990s, PTV was the only entertainment source for a majority of the population. Khuda Ki Basti was aired in 1957 featuring children in significant roles.

Uncle Urfi, a popular drama series featuring children and based on their adventures, was aired in 1972.

Uncle Sargam was a puppet performance show addressing social, educational and political issues in a light-hearted and humorous manner directed particularly towards a young audience.

Ainak Wala Jin was a popular children’s fantasy television series that became a cultural phenomenon in Pakistan. It featured several child actors. Sona Chandi, a drama serial aired on PTV, featured many children in significant roles.

Gana Gana was a musical show aired on PTV. After the launch of several private channels in the ’90s Tarang, Sur Sangeet, Bachon Ka Gana Ghar were aired during the late 1990s and early 2000s. These focused on art education for children.

Bachon Ki Duniya has been a staple children’s programme on PTV for several decades. Various versions of it have been airing since the 1980s. Kaliyan, another show aired in 1976, gained early fame for its engaging storytelling, colourful characters and interactive segments.

These shows attained fame among children due to their innovative concepts, engaging storytelling and lasting impact on viewers, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape of Pakistan.

It seems that there was greater freedom to experiment in the past.

The imperative for acknowledging the issue of children’s representation within the entertainment industry is particularly pronounced, especially given the limited alternatives available beyond platforms such as YouTube or social media.

The writer is a theatre practitioner and a drama critic