A former contestant of the popular Ramadan transmission Shaan-e-Ramzan has sparked debate after publicly sharing his experience and raising concerns about how participants are treated.
Shaan-e-Ramzan, hosted by Waseem Badami and Iqrar-ul-Hassan, is one of Pakistan’s most widely watched Ramadan transmissions. The show features multiple segments, including religious discussions, charity initiatives, cooking, and the popular quiz segment Shaan-e-Ilm.
The controversy began when former participant Osama Fazal appeared on the show and spoke about what he described as the “reality” behind the transmission.
Contestant Shares Personal Experience
Osama Fazal claimed that participants spend significant amounts of money to take part in the show but do not always receive fair rewards.
He said, “Today I will expose the reality of Pakistan’s number one Ramadan transmission.”
According to him, contestants often travel to Karachi at their own expense, with some spending between Rs60,000 to Rs70,000 to participate.
He also alleged that prize distribution lacks consistency. He pointed out that a runner-up received an LED, which was similar to what early-round participants received, raising questions about fairness.
In his own case, he claimed that despite reaching the runner-up position in a previous season, he only received a small gift hamper instead of the promised reward.
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Comparison with Other Shows
Fazal also compared Shaan-e-Ramzan with other game shows on the same network. He said contestants on programs like Jeeto Pakistan often win expensive prizes such as bikes for simple activities.
He questioned the value placed on knowledge-based competitions, suggesting that talent and effort are not always rewarded equally.
Social Media Reaction
The claims quickly gained attention on social media, where users expressed mixed reactions.
Many praised the contestant for speaking up and highlighting issues faced by participants. Others called for transparency in prize distribution and better treatment of contestants.
Criticism was also directed at the producers, with some users questioning whether educational segments are being undervalued compared to entertainment-based content.
Larger Debate Around Ramadan Transmissions
Ramadan transmissions in Pakistan have long been popular for combining religion, entertainment, and charity. However, they have also faced criticism over the years.
Some critics argue that certain segments prioritize ratings over meaningful content. Others raise concerns about the treatment of participants and the commercialization of religious programming.
No Official Response Yet
So far, there has been no official response from the channel or the show’s hosts regarding the claims made by the contestant.
As the discussion continues online, the incident has once again highlighted the need for transparency and fairness in television productions, especially those associated with religious programming.
