‘Apparently I was a nominee’, Arjumand Rahim calls out awards show snub
Veteran Pakistani actress Arjumand Rahim has raised eyebrows over what she described as a major communication lapse at the Sunday Special Icon Awards (SSIA) 2026, revealing that she was nominated for an award but was neither informed about her nomination nor invited to the ceremony.
Taking to Instagram, Rahim shared her official nominee poster and expressed her disbelief over the situation. With a touch of sarcasm and laughing emojis, she revealed that she discovered her nomination much later and seemingly by chance.
“Found out much later that apparently I was a nominee. No one ever bothered to let me know, leave alone an invitation to attend.”
Rahim was nominated in the “Best Negative Actor Female –Drama” category for her acclaimed portrayal of Taj Bibi in the drama serial Sher. The nomination was part of the Sunday Special Icon Awards (SSIA) 2026, presented by ParkView City.
While the actress kept her response lighthearted, her revelation has triggered discussion about the way award ceremonies communicate with nominees and manage their events. Being nominated is generally considered a significant professional recognition, making the absence of even a formal notification particularly surprising.
The incident has also reignited longstanding criticism surrounding organization and transparency within Pakistan’s entertainment awards scene. Some viewers and industry observers questioned why a nominated performer would be left unaware of her own nomination, while others used the incident to voice broader skepticism about the credibility and fairness of local award ceremonies.
Social media reactions reflected a mix of amusement, disappointment and criticism. Several users described the situation as unprofessional and poorly managed, arguing that nominees deserve proper communication and acknowledgment regardless of whether they ultimately win.