Pakistani actress Hira Khan has stepped into a growing online dispute by fiercely defending fellow star Saba Qamar after Dr. Ejaz Waris publicly criticized Qamar’s recent birthday celebrations.
Taking to Instagram, Hira Khan posted an Instagram story that quickly drew social media attention. “Friends, someone please take the mic away from these ‘phupos’ (aunts), please,” she wrote, stressing that artists should not be treated as public property and that their professional work and private lives are separate.
Hira went on to highlight how artists are often unfairly judged for personal decisions whether it’s the way they dress, celebrate, or simply live while the very people who criticize continue to enjoy and benefit from their craft.
Hira condemned what she described as unwarranted judgment on artists’ personal lives, igniting a heated exchange on social media about celebrity privacy and public scrutiny.
Dr. Waris later responded with his own Instagram video, dismissing Hira’s post and questioning her priorities.
In his message, he claimed that Hira had only been involved in a few projects and suggested she should focus on work rather than defending others. He also made a remark comparing respect and age, implying that Hira should learn from her elders about how to give respect.
The exchange between Hira Khan and Dr. Waris has sparked broader conversation online about the boundaries between public commentary and personal respect for celebrities.
Many fans rallied behind Hira’s defense, praising her for calling out what they see as unnecessary policing of a fellow artist’s personal choices. Others weighed in on the role of public figures in setting social standards.
The controversy began when Dr. Waris took issue with Saba Qamar’s birthday festivities, describing the event’s music, atmosphere, and attire as inappropriate. Qamar’s celebration, however, was a stylish, film themed evening attended by close friends and industry names, including Bilal Saeed and fashion personality Ken Doll.
The gathering was marked by an elegant ambience, a cinema inspired multi-tier cake featuring edible film motifs and film strip details that celebrated Qamar’s illustrious career.