Renowned Pakistani actor Saba Qamar has issued a legal notice worth Rs10 crore to journalist Naeem Hanif over what she termed as defamatory, false, and sexist remarks made during a recent podcast.
The notice served through the law firm Saigal, Tarar & Leghari LLP accuses the journalist of making “derogatory, sexist and concocted” statements about the actor’s personal life and character. The comments were reportedly aired during a podcast produced by RNN TV and later uploaded to the channel’s digital platforms.
According to the legal notice, Hanif allegedly insinuated that Saba Qamar was provided accommodation in Lahore’s Walton area by an unnamed man that a claim the actor has publicly rejected as “false and baseless.”
Responding to the remarks, Saba Qamar took to Instagram, sharing a screenshot of the podcast and strongly refuted the allegations. “I have never lived in Walton, and there is no truth to the claims being made,” she wrote, adding that character assassination is a serious offence.
The legal notice states that Saba Qamar is a “critically acclaimed and award-winning performing artist” who has earned national and international recognition for her work. It also highlights her role as UNICEF Pakistan’s National Ambassador for Child Rights, noting her contributions to social causes and her reputation as a respected public figure.
The document accuses the journalist of deliberately peddling insinuations aimed at tarnishing her reputation by suggesting that women’s achievements in the industry are linked to “improper associations with men.” It describes the commentary as “regressive, defamatory and constitutionally offensive.”
The notice demands a public apology, removal of the defamatory content from all platforms, and payment of Rs10 crore in damages, failing which formal legal proceedings will be initiated.
