Pakistani model and actress Saheefa Jabbar Khattak recently entered the restaurant business, but the new venture has quickly become an emotional experience after her comments about hiring staff triggered intense online criticism.
The controversy has drawn attention to the pressures female entrepreneurs face in Pakistan, especially when public statements are misinterpreted.
Saheefa, known for her work in modeling and television, had shared some of the challenges she encountered while building her restaurant team. In a video posted online, she spoke about the difficulty of finding dependable employees and explained that she preferred hiring Pathan (Pashtun) workers because she considered them hardworking and reliable.
She said this preference came from her past experiences with other employees who, according to her, sometimes left without notice or showed inconsistency at work.
While Saheefa appeared to be speaking about her personal experiences as a business owner, the remark quickly sparked debate on social media. Many users accused her of stereotyping and discriminating against Punjabis, which led to a wave of criticism across multiple platforms.
What began as criticism soon turned into something more aggressive.
Saheefa later shared an emotional video in which she said her restaurant had been targeted by coordinated “Review bombing.” According to her, dozens of one-star reviews suddenly appeared online overnight. She claimed the effort looked organized and was meant to damage her business’s reputation.
Visibly upset, she described the experience as deliberate sabotage and spoke about how difficult it has been to manage a new business while dealing with online hostility.
In the same video, she also addressed broader issues surrounding women in business. Saheefa said female entrepreneurs often face additional challenges, including corruption, harassment and social resistance toward women pursuing independence.
She acknowledged that running a business already comes with pressure, but dealing with public scrutiny and online attacks made the situation even more overwhelming. Saheefa explained that she had started the restaurant from scratch with strong hopes of building something meaningful, only to encounter unexpected obstacles early in the journey.
Public reaction to the incident has been mixed. Some supporters defended her, arguing that her comments were based on personal experience rather than prejudice. Others maintained that the statement reinforced stereotypes and deserved criticism.
The episode highlights how quickly social media discussions can escalate and affect reputations and businesses, especially when public figures speak about sensitive topics.
Despite the controversy, Saheefa says she remains focused on her restaurant and maintains that her goal has always been to build a quality venture.
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