Pakistan’s entertainment industry primarily caters to adults and families with its slew of drama serials. Which drama serial appeals to whom is a longer discussion because there are dozens of channels, each with its own number of drama serials. There are also morning shows and game shows and for those interested in current affairs and politics, there are more news channels than necessary. Even regional language and religious channels exist. However, when it comes to children’s programming, there is a significant lack of content.
One man, though, is sticking to his guns. Even without the support of any channel or sponsorship, he is addressing children’s entertainment with a show designed just for them. That man is Bilal Maqsood. Since moving on from the music group Strings after 33 years, Maqsood has released his own music. However, his key focus has been creating a program for children, which he did in the form of Pakkay Dost, a puppet show with an emphasis on the Urdu language, playful storytelling, and valuable life lessons rolled into one colorful package.
The series (available online) has multiple seasons. It features beautiful music, and several guests have appeared in various episodes.
Taking it one step further, Pakkay Dost (which has been hailed by industry giants like Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy as well as educators and parents) has formed a partnership with ConnectHear to make the series accessible to the hearing-impaired community by integrating sign language.
“We are very excited to partner with ConnectHear,” said Bilal Maqsood about the collaborative effort. “Our mission is to bring joy, learning, and cultural enrichment and create a brighter childhood for all children. This collaboration is a significant step towards making Pakkay Dost truly inclusive and ensuring that every child can experience the magic of our show.”
“At ConnectHear, we believe in creating a world where no one is left behind,” said Arhum Ishtiaq, CTO and Co-Founder of ConnectHear. “This alliance with Pakkay Dost allows us to bridge the gap in children’s entertainment and education for the Deaf community. We’re not just adding sign language to the show—we’re adding joy, imagination, and inclusion to every Deaf child’s life.”
