Celebrities

Faryal Gohar Reveals Shocking Details of Her Marriage: ‘I Was Beaten With Leather Belts’

Veteran Pakistani actress Faryal Gohar has shared deeply painful details about her first marriage, revealing that she endured years of physical abuse, severe restrictions and injuries that she says had a lasting impact on her life.

Speaking to Nida Yasir on Good Morning Pakistan, Gohar opened up about an experience she had largely kept private, while also addressing a question many women in abusive relationships continue to face.

According to Gohar, domestic violence does not discriminate between women based on their education, financial independence or social standing. She stressed that even women who appear strong and independent from the outside can find themselves facing violence behind closed doors.

“I bore violence in my own marriage,” she said, explaining that she was not financially dependent on her husband. Yet, despite being independent, she found herself trapped in a situation that continued for years.

Gohar’s account became particularly harrowing when she described the physical violence she says she suffered. She recalled being repeatedly beaten with leather belts, saying the abuse became so severe that she suffered miscarriages.

“How can one give birth to a child when you have been beaten by leather belts every now and then, which caused miscarriages?” she said.

The actress also recalled having to conceal her injuries and missing classes because of the wounds, what happened inside her home, she explained, eventually began affecting her education and everyday life.

The physical consequences did not end there. Gohar said she developed persistent kidney pain, which she attributed to being kicked and beaten from behind. The injuries eventually became serious enough to require surgery.

She recalled being in so much pain that she could not attend university in London during that period.

But according to Gohar, the abuse was not limited to physical violence. She also described a marriage in which her freedom was heavily restricted.

She said she was not allowed to leave the house whenever she wanted or even go out for a walk. On occasions when she was permitted to step outside, she claimed she was expected to wear her mother-in-law’s burqa. She also recalled travelling in a covered rickshaw so that people would not recognise her.

When Nida Yasir asked how long she had lived through the situation, Gohar’s response shocked everyone!

“Nine years. Nine years.”

Gohar was only 23 when she got married, and she made it clear that the decision had initially been hers. She had chosen her partner herself, but said her family had largely been reassured by the fact that he belonged to a Syed family.

The situation eventually became serious enough for her relatives to confront her husband’s family in Peshawar. Gohar recalled them questioning how he could identify himself as a Syed while raising his hand against his wife.

Although she did not mention her former husband’s name while discussing the abuse, Gohar was previously married to actor and artist Jamal Shah. The two had met through Pakistan’s cinema and art circles and were once regarded as one of the country’s prominent industry couples.

The marriage ended in divorce in 1992, after nine years together; the same nine-year period Gohar referred to during her recent conversation.

Earlier this year, Gohar and Shah appeared together on Shan-e-Suhoor, where they spoke about their separation publicly. At the time, Gohar said Shah valued his freedom and felt he could not be confined by marriage. Shah, meanwhile, described himself as “not marriage material.”

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Celebrities

Omair Rana Opens Up About Pakistanis’ Obsession With Shaadi Without Training

Omair Rana is a versatile and talented Pakistani television and film actor, best known for his top-notch portrayal of negative characters. He began his showbiz career as a theatre actor and director. His notable dramas include Piya Bedardi, Ullu Baraey Farokht Nahi, Pyar Ke Sadqay, Zan Mureed, Dil Na Umeed To Nahi, Sang-e-Mar Mar, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay, Sang-e-Mah, and Ishq Murshid. Omair Rana is happily married to Maira Omair and has an adorable family of four.

Recently, Omair Rana appeared on Good Morning Pakistan, hosted by Nida Yasir. In the show, he talked about Pakistani society’s obsession with shaadi without mentally preparing the two individuals for future circumstances.

Talking about it, Omair Rana said, “My issue is this, that due to the social pressure, the sole purpose of our people is to get married. For example, see our dramas; all the stories revolve around marriage, and it has become the purpose of life. But no one teaches its course. There is no lesson, no literature regarding the subject of marriage. They are not taught about responsibilities. The center of attention for a woman after marriage is to become a mother because her existence will be worthless without becoming a mother. Yes, she doesn’t know anything about motherhood or how to do a child’s upbringing. They just receive congratulations and then go into the race of becoming a mother for the second time. It’s like we do in the corporate sector; we don’t make an incompetent person a supervisor. Imagine a human child who has to serve society in the future being in the hands of two individuals who aren’t trained. We don’t talk about it because we think we know enough and we think we raised them right. Two individuals should accept that perfection doesn’t exist. My ideology has changed after becoming a parent. While choosing partners, see him/her as the parent of your future kids. Don’t run after butterflies; give time to each other.”

Celebrities

Faryal Gohar Not Recognizing Saba Faisal Triggers Reactions

Saba Faisal is a prominent Pakistani television actress who has delivered memorable performances in major hit dramas, including Humsafar, Pyarey Afzal, Ishq Tamasha, Bandhay Ek Dori Se, Ghisi Piti Mohabbat, Khaie, Baby Baji, and Chand Tara. Beyond her screen presence, she is widely recognized for her controversial, bold, and regressive public statements, often openly supporting patriarchal norms and male dominance. She recently defended Jamal Shah amid his domestic violence dispute with Faryal Gohar, sparking intense online debate from fans who accused her of always taking the wrong side.

When host Hina Salman brought up these public reactions during a recent interview with Faryal Gohar and asked for her take on the actresses who spoke against her, Faryal Gohar simply responded that she does not even know who Saba Faisal is.

Faryal Gohar said, “I don’t even recall her, how she looked, okay, like Saba Faisal. I don’t know who she is. I don’t even watch television. Is she an actor? I think she may have played a small role somewhere. Yes, I do know about Saba Hameed. I know her very well, knew her because her father was a member of the progressive school of journalism. I met her at the Youm-e-Shuhada event of 6 September. She was one of the guests at GHQ, and I was hosting the event. Otherwise, I have nothing to do with TV personalities.”

She further added, “Saba Faisal might have been a wonderful person, but she doesn’t know her and doesn’t also want to condemn her; it’s just that she doesn’t watch TV.”

This triggered a wave of social media reactions with one social media user wrote, “She has done the complete justice with Saba Faisal” Saba Faisal’s daughter Sadia couldn’t believe that she has refused to recognize Saba , Sadia shared laughing emojis on the interview clip. While many others said they have been watching Saba Faisal since long and that it’s Faryal Gohar who rarely appears on television. Saba Faisal’s son also reacted, “Now people will know you”. A social media user wrote, “Now Saba will definitely react”

Saba said that it was upsetting for her that Faryal came up with such allegations. She added, “I had always liked Faryal Gohar, but I didn’t understand her putting up allegations against her ex-husband, and previously, she didn’t even say anything in the same show. I don’t think so it damaged Jamal Shah. Yes, it would have created issues in her personal life.”

Celebrities

Anoushey Ashraf on the fatigue of having her ‘Muslimness’ questioned

Anoushey Ashraf has gotten real about the relentless scrutiny Muslim women face for simply existing — down to the most routine choices in their everyday lives.

The television host made the admission in a candid Instagram photo dump, opening with a pointed question to her followers: “Hello, fellow Muslim liberal girl. Can we talk about some of the things that exhaust me?” She went on in her caption: “Currently (90% of the time) being audited by both sides. Surely I can’t be the only one going through this?”

The post featured glimpses of her outfits alongside the questions and criticism she said she encountered — from whether she ate halal and why she kept dogs to whether she prayed. The central message was clear: “Too Muslim for some. Not Muslim enough for others.”

“Having to prove my Muslimness to the very Muslim Muslims and my lack thereof to the non-Muslims. Having to explain my faith to some and my outfits to others. A skirt? Radical for some. Regular praying? Radical for others,” she wrote.

Anoushey then summed up the contradiction with a touch of humour: “Meanwhile, I’m just trying to hug a dog.” “And honestly? Can a woman just be a woman without everyone conducting an audit?” she questioned.

She concluded the post by addressing those trying to categorise her faith: “To everyone trying to figure out what kind of Muslim I am: Perfectly Muslim enough for me.”

Anoushey also asked her followers, “How’s everyone else surviving the Muslimness audit?”

Her post resonated with many followers and fellow celebrities, with stars including Syra Yousuf showing their support in the comments.

Others described the message as relatable and joined the conversation about navigating faith, identity and personal choices.

Several fans also reflected on the idea of being a “liberal Muslim” and the pressure to fit neatly into religious labels. “Girl, you’re authentic and true to yourself. This is why they’re confused!” one follower wrote.

Another questioned the need for such labels, commenting, “Why is there even a need to label someone as ‘liberal Muslim’ or ‘conservative Muslim’ when Allah has not defined us by these labels?”

Others emphasised the personal nature of faith, arguing that a person’s relationship with religion is ultimately between them and their Creator.

“Only between you and your God,” one person wrote, while another said, “I strongly believe that religion is something very personal.” Another follower simply added, “People need to calm down and let women live.”

Anoushey’s post has sparked a wider conversation about the expectations placed on Muslim women and the tendency to judge their faith based on their appearance, lifestyle or personal choices. At its heart, her message was about having the freedom to navigate faith in a way that feels authentic without constantly having to prove where she stands.