Faryal Gohar Says She Does Not Know Saba Faisal

Faryal Gohar has stirred a controversy online after claiming that she does not know fellow Pakistani actress Saba Faisal, following questions about Faisal’s recent comments regarding her domestic violence dispute with former husband Jamal Shah.

Saba Faisal is one of Pakistan’s well-known television actresses and has appeared in several popular dramas, including Humsafar, Pyarey Afzal, Ishq Tamasha, Bandhay Ek Dori Se, Ghisi Piti Mohabbat, Khaie, Baby Baji, and Chand Tara. However, the actress has also faced criticism over some of her public statements, particularly comments that many viewers have described as controversial and supportive of traditional patriarchal views.

Recently, Saba Faisal defended Jamal Shah amid his ongoing public dispute with Faryal Gohar. Her comments generated debate on social media, with some users accusing the actress of repeatedly supporting what they considered to be the wrong side of controversial issues.

During a recent interview, host Hina Salman asked Faryal Gohar about the actresses who had spoken against her in connection with the dispute. Faryal’s response to Saba Faisal’s name quickly became one of the most discussed moments of the interview.

Faryal said that she did not remember Saba Faisal and was not even familiar with her work because she does not watch television.

“I don’t even recall her, how she looked, okay, like Saba Faisal. I don’t know who she is. I don’t even watch television. Is she an actor? I think she may have played a small role somewhere,” Faryal said.

She further said that she knew another actress, Saba Hameed, whom she said she knew because of her connection to the progressive school of journalism. Faryal recalled meeting Saba Hameed at a Youm-e-Shuhada event held at GHQ on September 6, where Faryal was hosting the ceremony.

Faryal explained that she had almost zero interest in television personalities and did not intend to denounce Saba Faisal personally.

“Saba Faisal might have been a wonderful person, but she doesn’t know her and doesn’t also want to condemn her; it’s just that she doesn’t watch TV,” she said.

Her comments immediately invited a wave of reactions on social media. One user wrote that Faryal had “done complete justice” with Saba Faisal, while others found her response amusing.

Saba Faisal’s daughter, Sadia Faisal, also appeared to react to the interview clip by sharing laughing emojis on social media. Meanwhile, Saba Faisal’s son also joined the discussion, writing, “Now people will know you.”

Another social media user predicted that Saba Faisal would likely respond to Faryal’s comments, writing, “Now Saba will definitely react.”

However, several users defended Saba Faisal and pointed out that she has been a familiar face on Pakistani television for decades. Some argued that Faryal Gohar herself has had a relatively limited presence on television in recent years.

Faryal Gohar, meanwhile, is a senior Pakistani actress known for her versatile performances and distinctive screen presence. She has appeared in several acclaimed television projects, including Band Gali, Uraan, Visaal, Chaand Girhen, Kohkan, Mohini Mansion Ki Cinderella, and Chandni Raatain.

Faryal was earlier married to actor Jamal Shah. Their marriage lasted for around nine years before the couple eventually parted ways.

In the same interview, Faryal addressed Jamal Shah’s recent statements denying her allegations of domestic abuse. She maintained that she had spoken about her experiences truthfully and claimed that she had evidence to support her account.

“I have spoken my truth, and I have evidence about all my truths,” she said, adding that the evidence included hospital and surgical records, gynaecological records, and witnesses.

Faryal also discussed narcissistic behaviour and said that people should understand the challenges faced by those who experience such relationships. She stressed that she was not interested in attacking her former husband but wanted to speak about issues that affect others as well.

The actress further claimed that she had previously spoken about her alleged experience of domestic violence at the United Nations General Assembly. According to her, the fact that the discussion had not been widely reported did not mean that she had never spoken about it.

Faryal also recalled an incident in which she said she was bitten by a dog at the home of a famous personality while she was there for an interview. She connected another painful memory to a miscarriage and claimed that the circumstances surrounding it involved Jamal being unavailable and allegedly involved with another woman.

She hinted that she could eventually reveal the identity of the woman, describing her as someone who is also highly popular.

Despite the hurtful memories, Faryal accepted that there were positive aspects to her relationship with Jamal. She praised his intelligence, talent, artistic abilities, and professional work, while also speaking about betrayal and the difficulties that ultimately led to their separation.

Referencing Princess Diana’s famous statement about her marriage, Faryal said there were “many” people involved in her marriage. She suggested that a lack of respect, understanding, and other personal issues contributed to the breakdown of their relationship.

Faryal also revealed that she had praised Jamal’s artwork and once had an entire gallery of his paintings at her Zaman Park residence. She recalled receiving one disturbing artwork from him after their marriage, featuring a beheaded woman trapped inside a cage.

As Faryal said she has moved on in her life after learning many lessons and no longer holds bitterness toward Jamal Shah, her latest comments about Saba Faisal have once again placed the former couple’s dispute at the centre of online discussions.