Pakistani actress Javeria Saud has reacted strongly to recent remarks by fellow actors Saba Qamar and Iffat Omar, who labelled Karachi a “dirty city”. Javeria said the problem lies not with the city, but with the mindset of those criticising it.
The controversy began after Saba Qamar commented during a podcast that she disliked Karachi, saying she visits only for work and returns to Islamabad immediately afterwards. When asked if she would ever consider relocating to Karachi, Saba responded with “Astaghfirullah”, adding that she does not like the city. Her remarks triggered widespread backlash from social media users and members of the entertainment industry.
A day later, actress Iffat Omar supported Saba Qamar in a post on X (formerly Twitter), also calling Karachi a “dirty city”.
Responding to the criticism directed at Karachi, Javeria Saud who hails from the city shared Instagram Stories featuring screenshots of the posts. Without naming Saba Qamar or Iffat Omar, Javeria defended her city and rebuked the negative comments.
“Karachi is not dirty,” she wrote. “Only the mindset of those who speak poorly about their own country and its cities is dirty. Cities are not dirty but people’s intentions and thinking can be.”
Javeria added that whether it is Karachi or any other part of Pakistan, she holds love for every city in the country.
