‘Not the Kind of Story You Switch off’: Why Saying Goodbye to Case No 9 Feels Different for Junaid Khan
As Junaid Khan signs off from Case No 9, the actor is closing the chapter on a drama that has sparked difficult conversations and sustained rare prime-time engagement with Pakistan’s justice system.
The drama ended on Thursday with protagonist Sehar (Saba Qamar) emerging victorious in her legal battle against Kamran (Faysal Quraishi). It was a welcome breath of fresh air in how it brought a rape survivor’s legal battle to people’s living rooms and taught lessons on how they can fight for their own rights.
Taking to Instagram after the final episode was aired, Khan, who played Rohit, described the drama as a “passion project”, one that extended far beyond entertainment. In a heartfelt video message, he reflected on the show’s intent to inform, unsettle, and stay with viewers long after the credits rolled.
“It’s not the kind of message that you just get and switch off, you forget once the show concludes,” Khan said. “It’s the kind of message that needs to be sent out in the world.”
Case No 9 has been one of the most talked-about serials on television in recent weeks. Led by Qamar, the series tackled sexual violence , institutional apathy, and the emotional toll of legal battles with a frankness that is still rare on mainstream Pakistani TV.
Khan emphasised that what set Case No 9 apart was its educational urgency. “We need to know what a victim of harassment will face, what provisions the law offers, what the judicial system states, and the punishment an aggressor can face,” he said, underlining why the show resonated so deeply with him — and, evidently, with audiences.
In his message, the actor thanked the Geo Network for backing the project, and praised writer Shahzeb Khanzada for crafting a script he described as both emotionally rich and information-heavy. He also acknowledged 7th Sky Entertainment, producers Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi, and director Wajahat Hussain for executing what he called a vision-driven project.
“When the captain of the ship works with heart and soul, everyone gives their 100 per cent,” Khan noted. He lauded performances by Faysal Quraishi, Aamina Sheikh, Navin Waqar, Hina Bayat, Noorul Hassan, Kamran Jeelani, and Gohar Rasheed, calling them “powerhouses” who brought the script’s weight to life.
For Khan, Rohit was a departure from safer, more commercial roles, and one he initially worried about. “I had a few apprehensions in the beginning,” he admitted, adding that he was unsure how audiences would respond to a character embedded in a non-commercial, issue-driven narrative. The reception, however, proved otherwise.
“Thank you so much for appreciating the character of Rohit,” he said, closing his message with gratitude for viewers who engaged with the show thoughtfully, discussed it widely, and helped amplify its core message.
As Case No 9 bows out, it stands as a reminder of what Pakistani television can achieve when it chooses discomfort over escapism. – Images
