Mahira Khan praises Karachi in response to question on Saba Qamar’s remarks

Lollywood star Mahira Khan was recently asked about her views on Saba Qamar’s remarks, in which Qamar said she would not like to live in Karachi.

Although Khan did not directly comment on Saba Qamar’s statement, she instead praised the city, highlighting its beauty and warmth. She described Karachi as a city that embraces everyone like a mother.

Speaking at a press conference for her film Neelofar at Karachi’s Ferrara Hall, Mahira was asked how she feels about belonging to Karachi. “I was born in Karachi, and I have lots of memories attached to it,” she said.

While clarifying that she was expressing her own opinion and not responding to anyone else’s remarks, she said Saba Qamar’s statement had been interpreted incorrectly.

She added that people usually grow fond of the city they were raised in. She said that whenever she visits Lahore, she also admires it because the city exudes the spirit of literature, poetry, and romance.

“Karachi is like a mother who embraces everyone. Even though people may not treat it well sometimes, this city forgives everyone and embraces them again,” she said.

The controversy began when Qamar was asked whether she would consider permanently moving to Karachi. In response, the actor immediately said “Astaghfirullah,” a remark that drew backlash on social media.

Many Karachi-based users criticised her response, accusing the actor of disrespecting the city where she built a significant part of her career. Some demanded an apology, while others reminded her of the professional opportunities she had received in Karachi’s entertainment industry.

After remaining silent for two days, Qamar addressed the issue through an Instagram story, saying her comment had been taken out of context. “I was busy and only now realised how one of my thoughts or statements has been turned into breaking news,” she wrote.

She clarified that she was merely expressing a personal opinion in response to a question. “I shared my thoughts and perspective when asked. There was no disrespect intended,” she added.