Noori, a garbage picker, dreams to live a respectful life in the city but harsh realities stand in her way. Her awkward situation forces her to marry a rich widow's mentally challenged son, Bhola. Unbeknownst to both, their mutual feelings of social alienation would bring them close.

Kabli Pulao follows the story of Haji Mushtaq, an upright man from Lahore, and Barbeena, an Afghan girl in need. Haji Mushtaq, a 51-year-old Muslim Punjabi bachelor, leads a simple life until he meets Barbeena. He goes to Mardan for a religious tour where he meets her during his stay in a masjid, when her brother asks him to protect her by marrying her, as she is a widow and the brother of her deceased husband wants to marry her forcefully.