ISLAMABAD: Pakistani model and actress Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has come under intense online criticism after her comments about hiring staff for her newly launched restaurant sparked controversy on social media.
Khattak, who recently shifted from modelling and acting to entrepreneurship, spoke openly about the challenges she faced while building her restaurant business. In a video shared online, she discussed difficulties in finding dependable employees and explained that she preferred hiring Pathan (Pashtun) workers based on her past experiences.
According to Khattak, she believed Pashtun employees tended to be hardworking and reliable after encountering problems with other staff members who left jobs suddenly or failed to maintain consistency.
However, her remarks quickly triggered backlash online. Critics accused the actress of stereotyping and discriminating against other communities, particularly Punjabis. As the clip spread across social media platforms, the criticism intensified and turned into widespread trolling.
Supporters, meanwhile, argued that Khattak had merely shared a personal experience about managing staff and that her comments were taken out of context.
Review bombing targets new business
Shortly after the controversy erupted, Khattak released an emotional video describing the impact the backlash had on her business and personal well-being.
She revealed that her restaurant had become the target of coordinated “review bombing,” with dozens of one-star reviews appearing online within a short period. Khattak described the surge of negative ratings as an organised attempt to damage the reputation of her newly launched venture.
The actress said the situation had been deeply distressing, especially as she had started the restaurant with high hopes after transitioning into entrepreneurship.
In her statement, Khattak also reflected on broader challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in Pakistan. She highlighted issues such as corruption, harassment and social resistance that women often encounter while running businesses.
The controversy has since sparked debate online, with users divided between defending Khattak’s intentions and criticising her remarks.
