Nijaat (Urdu: نجات, English: Liberation) is an 18-episode 1993 Pakistani television drama serial produced by PTV.[1] 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 village and urban life. It emphasizes family planning, ending child labor and initiating community health reforms.[2] PTV Home aired it again from 16 May 2020 daily at 12.00 P.M in PTV Gold Hour.[3]

Nijaat
Opening title screen
GenreDrama, Family
Written byAsghar Nadeem Syed
Directed bySahira Kazmi
StarringAtiqa Odho
Huma Nawab
Latif Kapadia
Marina Khan
Noman Ijaz
Sajid Hasan
Durdana Butt
Country of originPakistan
Original languageUrdu
No. of episodes18
Production
ProducerSahira Kazmi
Production locationsSindh, Pakistan
EditorNaeem Siddiqui
Original release
NetworkPTV
Release1993 (1993)

Plot

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This drama is based on the interwinding stories of three families in a village in Sindh, Pakistan: Zareena, a health worker, and her family; Sajida and Huzoor Bakhsh, who have so many children that Sajida 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 not to sacrifice the past.[4]

Cast and characters

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Character Played by Notes
Huzoor Bakhsh Noman Ijaz Hunter and later tries to establish a shop.
Sajida Atiqa Odho[5] Housewife facing maternity and other domestic issues. She helps Tania in her handicrafts (embroidery) institute.
Zareena Huma Nawab Nurse at the local clinic
Ali Asad Sajid Hasan Assistant Commissioner (Assistant Commissioner of the Tehsil. Before coming to the village, he was a medical doctor.
Tania Marina Khan Wife of Assistant Commissioner. Previously, she was a model.
Makhdoom Latif Kapadia Father 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 Bakhsh Yousuf Ali[6] Brother 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 village man who likes to boast and share his good times with his people.
Masi Taqdeera Salma Zafar Village match-maker
Ustad ji Malik Anokha Owner of the local hotel
Shafqat Durdana Butt She is called Aapa
Zehra Khatoon Religious preacher
Kashi Sajjad Hassan Son of Huzoor Bakhsh. He tries to flee the village 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.
Tari Emad Hassan Son of Huzoor Bakhsh
Kulsoom Sister of Huzoor Bakhsh
Razia Daughter of Makhdoom
Master ji Nisar Qadri Teacher at the village school
Rasheed Compounder (pharmacist) at the village clinic

Music

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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 mein" Alamgir 

Social Impact

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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.[7] The usefulness of findings from qualitative evaluations of 'Nijaat' (and Alang-Alang in Indonesia) has led to further collaborations between JHU/PCS and filmmakers.[8][9] The screenplay was written by renowned playwright Asghar Nadeem Syed.

References

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  1. ^ Nijaat - WorldCat Library. WorldCat libraries. OCLC 743424829.
  2. ^ Nijaat (PTV drama serial) on pakdramasonline.com website, Retrieved 26 October 2016
  3. ^ @PTVHomeOfficial (15 May 2020). "دیکھے پی ٹی وی کلاسک ڈرامہ سیریل "نجات" 16مئی سے روزانہ دن 12 بجے صرف پی ٹی وی ہوم پر۔۔۔#Nijaat#PTVGold…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ "Nijaat". Center for Communication Programs. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  5. ^ Cast of PTV drama serial 'Nijaat' on sabi.pk website, Retrieved 26 October 2016
  6. ^ TV actor Yousuf Ali (Stars Who Died Young) on paklinks.com website, Retrieved 26 October 2016
  7. ^ Aftab Associates (1 February 1994). "A qualitative evaluation of the impact of "Nijaat" (a social drama) in the rural vicinity of Lahore, Pakistan" (PDF). International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 May 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  8. ^ Wilkins, Karin Gwinn (2000). Redeveloping communication for social change : theory, practice, and power. Lanham, [Md.]: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-8476-9588-1.
  9. ^ Gumucio-Dagron, edited by Alfonso; Tufte, Thomas (2006). Communication for social change anthology : historical and contemporary readings. South Orange, N.J.: Communication for Social Change Consortium. ISBN 0977035794. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)
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