Hyderabad, Oct. 3 -- What happens when a drama refuses to leave your screen, your timeline or your YouTube recommendations? You watch one episode, then another, and before you know it, you are hundreds of episodes deep into Pakistani television. From intense romances and complicated relationships to soulful love stories and characters that become overnight internet favourites, some Pakistani dramas have gone far beyond television ratings.

Several Pakistani serials have turned into global digital blockbusters, crossing the staggering 3 billion cumulative views mark on YouTube. Their popularity has extended well beyond Pakistan, with audiences across India and other countries binge-watching episodes and turning key scenes into viral social...