It is not networking, it is filth: Jia Ali’s shocking take on Ayyan Ali sparks fierce debate
Pakistani actress and former model Jia Ali has sparked a heated online debate with her candid remarks about former supermodel Ayyan Ali and what she described as the darker side of the entertainment industry.
Jia recalled meeting Ayyan through fashion coordinator Munna and said she had advised her to be careful and keep a low profile. She also discussed Ayyan’s 2015 currency-smuggling case, in which the model was arrested at Islamabad airport after authorities recovered foreign currency from her possession.
While discussing Ayyan’s success at a young age, Jia questioned whether regular modelling work alone could explain the level of wealth and exposure the model had achieved at the time. She pointed to Ayyan’s frequent appearances on major billboards and her rapid rise within the fashion industry.
Jia also shared memories from her own experiences in the fashion and film industry. She claimed that she had sometimes been asked to secretly collect files or move suitcases during shoots. The host compared these unusual requests to something out of a spy movie, and Jia agreed with the comparison.
She further recalled how some models initially felt jealous of Ayyan because she was appearing on major multinational billboards and receiving significant attention. According to Jia, rumors later circulated among models that Ayyan was gaining access to influential circles through late-night parties.
When the host referred to such activities as “networking,” Jia strongly disagreed. She described what she was referring to as “ghalazat,” meaning “filth,” making it clear that she did not view such situations as ordinary professional networking.
Jia also claimed that she had personally warned Ayyan about the risks of becoming involved with powerful people. According to Jia, she told the young model that influential individuals could use her for their own purposes and eventually leave her.
At the same time, Jia appeared to shift the focus away from young women and towards the influential people working behind the scenes. She argued that young models can suddenly become successful and earn large amounts of money, while the public often places the blame on the women without questioning the people who may have influence over their careers.
Jia said greater attention should be given to those with power in the industry rather than simply blaming young women who may find themselves caught in difficult situations.
Her comments have now triggered mixed reactions online. While some viewers agreed with her criticism and appreciated her willingness to discuss an uncomfortable subject, others accused her of targeting women instead of addressing the wider system.
One social media user questioned her approach, writing, “You are also badmouthing just women.” Another commenter suggested that Jia’s remarks were influenced by professional rivalry, writing, “You also never got that famous and therefore you are targeting others.”
A third user took a more cynical view of the entertainment industry and commented, “Everyone is the same. Only those are good who don’t get the opportunity.”
Ayyan Ali became one of Pakistan’s most recognisable models after gaining widespread attention through fashion campaigns, magazine appearances and major billboards. Her career took a dramatic turn in 2015 when she was arrested at Islamabad airport in a currency-smuggling case, which remained in the headlines for years and attracted intense public attention.