Pakistani model and actress Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has become a trending topic on social media after comments she made about hiring staff for her new cafe sparked widespread debate online.
Her remarks about preferring “Pathan workers” and saying she does not trust Punjabi or Urdu-speaking people quickly went viral, drawing criticism from many social media users who described the statement as discriminatory.
The controversy has led to a broader discussion online about hiring practices, ethnic stereotypes and the responsibilities of public figures when speaking to large audiences.
Viral post about hiring staff
The debate began after Saheefa shared a message on Instagram about hiring workers for her cafe business in Lahore.
In the post, she said she prefers employing hardworking Pathan staff and expressed distrust toward Punjabi and Urdu-speaking workers.
Several people said the comments promoted ethnic bias and unfairly generalised entire communities.
Some critics argued that such views, especially when shared by well-known personalities, could reinforce discrimination in workplaces.
Others suggested that Saheefa may have been speaking from personal experiences rather than making a broader judgment, but the post still drew strong reactions.
Opening a café in Lahore
The discussion comes at a time when Saheefa has been shifting her focus from acting to business.
She recently opened a cafe in Lahore and has been promoting the venture on social media.
Saheefa Jabbar Khattak owns Roni’s Pizzeria, located at 3-Y, Y Block, Sector Y, DHA Phase 3, Lahore, Pakistan. The restaurant is known for serving pizza in the area.
Her comments about hiring staff were linked to the recruitment process for the new business, which is why the issue quickly became part of a larger conversation about workplace diversity and hiring choices.
Some social media users called for boycotts of the cafe, while others said the criticism should lead to a wider dialogue about attitudes toward different ethnic groups in Pakistan.
Ongoing reaction online
The discussion around her latest comments continues across social media platforms.
While some people have defended her right to share personal opinions, many others say public figures should be careful when speaking about sensitive issues such as ethnicity and hiring practices.
For now, the debate highlights how a single social media post can quickly trigger wider conversations about identity, fairness and responsibility in public life.
Saheefa Jabbar Khattak’s career
Saheefa Jabbar Khattak first gained recognition as a fashion model before moving into television acting.
She has appeared in several Pakistani drama serials and is known for her outspoken views on social and political issues.
Over the years, she has often used social media to speak about public services, governance and everyday challenges faced by citizens.
In a previous post, she criticised frequent disruptions in internet connectivity in Pakistan.
Writing on Instagram, she said reliable internet should be a basic service for citizens who pay taxes and follow the law.
“I fulfil my responsibilities as a citizen, I pay taxes, obey the laws, and contribute to society,” she wrote.
“In return, I only ask for reliable internet, something that should be standard in any functional country.”
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