Renowned Pakistani actor Saba Qamar has initiated legal action against journalist Naeem Hanif for allegedly making false and defamatory remarks about her on a YouTube podcast.
In a series of Instagram stories, Saba shared screenshots of a legal notice purportedly issued to Hanif, alongside a message urging her fans and fellow artists to stand up against defamation and disrespect. “No one has the right to make false accusations just for attention,” she wrote, encouraging others to call out such behavior and hold people accountable.
The controversy stems from an episode of RNN TV’s news podcast, aired on November 1, where Hanif discussed Saba Qamar’s recent statements about preferring to live in Lahore over Karachi. During the discussion, he allegedly made derogatory remarks and moral accusations against her dating back to the early 2000s. He also made similar claims about actors Natasha Ali and Mishi Khan.
According to the legal notice, Hanif’s statements were “defamatory and derogatory” and promoted the “regressive notion that a woman’s achievements are tied to men rather than her own merit.” It further described his remarks as a “misogynistic spectacle” delivered with mockery and without any journalistic basis.
The notice claimed Hanif’s conduct caused Qamar reputational damage, mental anguish, and psychological harm, accusing him of using speech to reinforce patriarchal attitudes.
Saba Qamar has demanded that the journalist remove the defamatory content within seven days, issue a public apology, refrain from future commentary on her life, and pay Rs 100 million in damages. Failure to comply may lead to formal court proceedings.
Hanif, who is listed as the CEO of RNN TV, has not publicly acknowledged the notice on any of his social media accounts.
