Viewers have taken to Dar-e-Nijaat’s Abu Bakar, played by Sheheryar Munawar, in a big way. Many describe him as the ultimate green flag and the kind of partner they want. The ARY Digital drama has also set off a wider argument about whether such a man exists, and who gets to expect him.
H2: Background: What Dar-e-Nijaat Is About
H3: The drama and its cast
Dar-e-Nijaat premiered on 1 August and is written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Saqib Khan, according to Siasat. It is produced by Three’s Entertainment and airs on ARY Digital. The cast includes Durefishan Saleem as Zaryab, Nameer Khan as Zamil, Sania Saeed and Saba Hameed.
The story follows Zaryab after a heartbreak and into marriage with Abu Bakar. He is described as a principled, grounded university professor. Open Magazine adds that his character is Harvard-educated.
H3: How Abu Bakar became the “green flag”
Over the weeks, viewers have praised his patience, respect and refusal to define his wife by her past. Daily Pakistan reports that his small gestures, such as suggesting a shopping trip to spend time with Zaryab, drew warm reactions. Fans have nicknamed the couple “Abzar,” according to the Pakistan Times.
Open Magazine says women across the border are swooning over him in the way they once did for Fawad Khan. That comparison is the magazine’s own.
H2: Details: The Latest Episodes and the Numbers
H3: Abu Bakar’s confession
In the most recent episode, Abu Bakar admits his feelings for Zaryab, the Pakistan Times reports. The 24 News channel said a teaser had hinted at an “I love you” moment. Daily Pakistan says the drama appears to be moving into a softer chapter after weeks of emotional distance.
The drama airs on Fridays and Saturdays. Daily Pakistan describes Episode 28 as having aired around 6 November. The Pakistan Times, however, cites 23 episodes at the time of its 7 November report, so the sources differ on the count.
H3: Viewership claims
The Pakistan Times says the serial has reportedly crossed 1.7 billion views. I could not verify that figure independently, so please treat it as a reported claim. ARY News has also reported that the drama became the most-watched Pakistani drama during its airing, though I did not find the underlying data.
H3: Sheheryar Munawar on his own character
Sheheryar Munawar has pushed back on the saintly image. In reports from ARY News and the Express Tribune, he said Abu Bakar is a people-pleaser with a saviour complex, and far from perfect. Those traits, he explained, shape the choices the character makes.
He has also had fun with the attention. ARY reported that he reacted to viral memes and hinted at a “special” new project, and 24 News reported that he said he wanted to join a boy band of Pakistani actors.
H2: Quotes: What Fans, Peers and Family Say
Actor Nadia Afgan wrote that “People like Abu Bakar and his mother do exist,” according to the Express Tribune. She was linking the drama to her own family life.
Sheheryar Munawar’s wife, Maheen Siddiqui, posted on Instagram Stories that she “Cried my eyes out” watching his performance, ARY News reports. Siddiqui is a content creator and model. The Express Tribune notes that she was featured on the drama’s original soundtrack after her debut music release, and that she credited her husband.
Naheed Noor, in a comment reported by Minute Mirror, advised girls to remember that Abu Bakar is a fictional character. She warned that not every man would behave like him.
H2: Impact: The Debate Beyond the Screen
H3: Veena Malik and the “he isn’t coming to save you” argument
Dawn Images ran a piece headlined to the effect that Veena Malik wants viewers to know Abu Bakar probably isn’t coming to save them. I could not read the full article, so I cannot say what exactly she argued. The headline suggests she is cautioning against waiting for a fictional hero.
Separately, the Express Tribune lists a story headlined “Veena Malik speaks out against body shaming.” I have not confirmed whether that is linked to the drama.
H3: Critics and complications
Not everyone sees Abu Bakar as ideal. A Friday Times column by Gaitee Ara Siddiqi argues that he agrees to marry Zaryab on the rebound because he cannot say no to his mother. A Countercurrents essay, on the other hand, argues that the real point is to be an Abu Bakar rather than to find one.
The drama has also sparked other debates. Durefishan Saleem addressed the argument over Zaryab’s sleeveless outfit, saying the scene shows her character’s changing relationship with faith, according to Dawn Images and the Express Tribune.
H3: Reach beyond Pakistan
ARY News reports that Sheheryar Munawar’s portrayal has also won attention in Bangladesh, Nepal and especially India. Siasat has run several reports on Indian fans watching the show. I have no audience data for any of these countries.
H2: Conclusion: What Comes Next
The drama is still airing, so Abu Bakar and Zaryab’s story is not finished. Viewers will be watching for how the confession plays out and for whether the show addresses the criticism about its characters. Sheheryar Munawar’s own “special” project, which he teased, may reveal more soon.
The wider debate is likely to continue too, about idealised male leads and what audiences expect from real relationships.
H2: FAQs
H3: What is Veena Malik doing now?
I cannot confirm what Veena Malik is working on today. In recent days, Dawn Images and the Express Tribune carried headlines linking her to commentary, one about Abu Bakar and one about body shaming, which suggests she is active in public conversation. One biography site lists her as host of “Discover Pakistan with Veena Malik” in 2024, but I could not verify that.
Gulf News reported earlier that she resumed TV work as a parody artist after returning to Pakistan. For her latest projects, her verified social media accounts and recent news from Dawn, Tribune or ARY are the best sources.
H3: What happened to Veena Malik?
Veena Malik first became widely known in India through the reality show Bigg Boss 4 in 2010 and a controversial magazine shoot. Reports from 2011 said she received death threats. Gulf News noted that a Geo TV programme later led to her prosecution and conviction in absentia, and that she urged fans to watch the clip before judging her.
She married businessman Asad Bashir Khan Khattak in Dubai in December 2013, and they have two children. PTI and Khaleej Times reported that a Lahore family court granted her khula in a decree dated 31 January 2017. Some biography sites list the divorce as 2018, so the sources differ.
H3: What is Veena Malik’s net worth?
I cannot confirm her net worth. Biography sites give estimates between $1 million and $5 million, but they do not explain how they calculated them, and none comes from a financial report or an official disclosure. One site gives $2 million to $5 million and another gives $1 million to $5 million.
Celebrity net worth pages are often copied from one another. Please do not treat them as fact in a published article without stating that they are estimates.
