Why Pakistanis Still Secretly Watch CID Despite the Ban

Even with Pakistan’s official ban on Indian television programming, CID is still a common household staple that is frequently viewed through other channels. With remarkably enduring zeal, viewers still follow its cases, characters, and distinctive style. Originally created for Indian viewers, this crime drama has unintentionally become one of Pakistan’s most reliable sources of entertainment, eluding media restrictions like a detective navigating bureaucratic red tape.

Pakistani viewers, especially those who grew up during the peak of CID in the early 2000s, continue to watch the series with a sense of familiarity that cuts across political lines by circumventing firewalls and using VPNs or YouTube archives. This mutual love could be compared to a friendship from childhood that endures despite family strife. Many people view ACP Pradyuman as more than just a fictional police officer; in an area that is usually overshadowed by political unrest, he represents moral clarity and consistency.

The format of CID is very clear. It has a predictable format: a crime, an investigation, and a resolution—all crammed into 45 minutes of dramatic, suspenseful action. This methodical approach is also what makes it so reassuringly dependable, despite the fact that it is frequently criticized for being irrational or overblown. Not only is Daya smashing doors iconic, but it’s a weekly occurrence. Salunkhe’s lab tricks, Abhijeet’s wit, and Freddy’s comedic timing are all key components of a formula that has worked incredibly well for more than 20 years.

CID – Series Information Table

Pakistani television has changed dramatically in the last ten years, producing high-end thrillers and critically acclaimed dramas. However, CID is still ingrained in popular culture. This tenacity is partly due to nostalgia, but it also shows how popular detective fiction has remained over the years. By staying away from overt political themes and concentrating on criminal psychology instead, CID has managed to keep its narrative neutral, universally relatable, and noticeably impervious to diplomatic jargon.

There were fewer entertainment options available in Pakistan during the 2016 ban on Indian media content. In order to fill the void, Pakistani networks hurried to produce more high-caliber domestic programming. Nonetheless, a lot of viewers continued to be drawn to the well-known format of CID, which was frequently accessed via shared USB drives or internet uploads. Even though the show wasn’t supposed to be airing at all, it managed to survive and even flourish thanks to this underground circulation.

Even among Gen Z viewers who grew up with digital devices, CID was able to maintain cultural relevance through clever storytelling and recurring character arcs. Pakistani fans quickly took notice when Season 2 debuted in December 2024, featuring new characters like Inspector Bhoomi and ACP Ayushmaan. In cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, CID episodes started to trend on VPN-routed platforms during the same time that India clamped down on Pakistani dramas. That comeback wasn’t merely coincidental; it was historically based and emotionally motivated.

The series’ appeal is found in how well it strikes a balance between moral instruction and entertainment. Its lessons are discreetly woven throughout conversations and conclusions, which is especially advantageous for audiences with a family focus. Generation after generation has trusted CID because of its ability to blend ethical undertones with crime-solving. Once dismissing the show as over-the-top, critics now recognize its remarkable longevity.

CID’s consistent viewership in Pakistan paints a more nuanced picture than statistics can convey in light of regional media tensions. Political decisions may dictate what is legally broadcast, but cultural memory, emotional comfort, and readily available technology dictate actual viewer behavior. Despite its shortcomings, CID is still very effective at providing all three.

Quora comments emphasize this loyalty even more. In a humorous admission, a Pakistani user acknowledged secretly watching CID late at night, “as if it were a guilty pleasure.” Another described how CID helped foster a childhood ambition of becoming a forensic specialist, which was inspired by Dr. Salunkhe’s theorizing with hair samples and blood spatter reports rather than by textbooks.

Through the use of common language, well-known social cues, and non-political storytelling, CID has become a phenomenon that transcends national boundaries. In that regard, it’s especially inventive—it didn’t have to make an effort to win over Pakistanis. Like a plant thriving in a stone wall’s crevices, it achieved success naturally. Under censorship, CID subtly flourished while other shows failed.

CID became a draw for celebrities as well. Bollywood celebrities like Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and even Kapil Dev made appearances, which added to its appeal to a wider audience. These cameos struck a chord with Pakistani audiences who were already captivated by these characters, in addition to drawing in Indian fans. These episodes were circulated as collectible moments on WhatsApp groups and social media platforms, turning them into digital currency.

CID has been trending once more in recent months. Viral videos, Reddit discussions, and sentimental memes are to blame—not any official rerun or government-approved streaming. The well-known phrase “Daya, darwaza tod do” is used humorously, ironically, and always with affection, and it has come to symbolize South Asia.

CID has established a niche that will not be undermined by fusing high-stakes drama with low-tech crime-solving. None of the sleeker, more recent crime shows have been able to match the special communal viewing experience that CID provides. It just stays dependable without making an effort to be hip. And that dependability is both uncommon and incredibly dependable in a time of constantly changing alliances and technological disruptions.

CID is more than just a show to Pakistani fans. It’s a reassuring memory, a shared language, and a ritual. That has not been dismantled by any government ban. And CDI will keep tearing down the metaphorical door as long as there are families huddled around a screen and inquisitive minds searching for hints, whether via cable, USB, or VPN.