Pakistan’s First AI Film Sparks Debate Before TV Premiere

Pakistan’s entertainment industry has entered a new and controversial phase after HUM TV announced that The Next Salahuddin, described as the country’s first AI-generated film, will be aired on television. The development, reported on Saturday, has quickly turned into a national conversation about artificial intelligence, creative labour and the future of filmmaking in Pakistan.

The film, developed by Jinn TV, centres on a young Gazan boy named Yousuf whose life is devastated after an airstrike kills members of his family and destroys his home. The story presents his journey through the lens of loss, resistance and religious-historical symbolism, drawing inspiration from Salahuddin Ayubi and the idea of reclaiming Jerusalem.

Before its planned television broadcast, The Next Salahuddin had already received attention through a limited theatrical run across nine Pakistani cities. Its move to HUM TV now gives the project a much wider audience and raises the stakes for a production that is being promoted not only as a children’s film but also as a technology-driven milestone for local media.

According to the details shared in the report, the film was conceptualised by Ustadh Asim Ismail and created by Farhan Siddiqui using artificial intelligence tools. A Malaysian non-profit organisation, Cinta Gaza Malaysia, was also involved in the project’s development, linking the film’s production to broader regional interest in Palestinian-themed storytelling.

The announcement, however, did not receive a uniformly positive reaction online. Many social media users questioned why a major Pakistani media platform would support an AI-generated film on such an emotionally sensitive subject instead of investing in actors, writers, animators, designers and other creative professionals.

A large part of the debate has focused on whether generative AI can be considered art when it relies on automated image-making and digital synthesis rather than conventional human performance. Critics also raised concerns about the environmental and ethical debates surrounding AI, including its resource use and wider impact on artists whose work may be displaced or undervalued.

The controversy reflects a growing global argument that has now reached Pakistan’s mainstream entertainment space. Around the world, film studios, streaming platforms, advertising agencies and digital creators are experimenting with AI, while unions and artists continue to demand protections against unpaid data use, job insecurity and creative dilution.

For Pakistan, the debate is especially important because the country’s film and animation sectors are still developing and often struggle with limited budgets, weak distribution networks and inconsistent institutional support. Supporters of AI may see the technology as a low-cost way to expand production, but critics fear it could reduce opportunities for young creative workers before the industry has fully matured.

HUM TV has not yet announced a confirmed broadcast date for The Next Salahuddin. Until then, the film is likely to remain a trending topic among viewers, artists and technology watchers, with its reception expected to shape how Pakistani media companies approach AI-generated entertainment in the months ahead.