Hijab Khalil, the daughter of acclaimed screenwriter and director Khalilur Rehman Qamar, recently participated in an interview where she discussed her bond with her father and clarified the events related to his alleged involvement in a "honey trap" scandal.
She mentioned that by the time the matter gained significant attention on social media, most of the issues had already been addressed. She conveyed her distress regarding what she characterized as callous online commentary and harassment aimed at her family during that time. "I remember there was this one girl being super insensitive about the situation on your podcast," Khalil told the host, who inferred that she was alluding to Ghazal Shapatar.
“Yes, her views and points, we can disagree with. But how can someone hate someone that much?” she said, adding, “People were praying my father dies and asking why he survived.”
Hijab also claimed that the kidnapping incident became another reason for online harassment directed at her. “‘Her dad got kidnapped and she is posting TikToks,’” she recalled, describing the type of comments she received while noting that social media is part of her work.
“People just want to say something, but don’t come after my family. If you disagree with my father, you should have the guts to say something to him. But people do not because they are afraid that he will talk back,” she added.
Hijab said the experience had a lasting emotional impact on her father and that she noticed changes in his behaviour after the incident. Despite his public reputation for controversy, she described him at home as humorous, approachable and more like a companion than a strict parent. “My dad is more like a friend than my father,” she said.
One of the most controversial segments of the interview centred on her views regarding the Aurat March and gender transition. Khalil said she supports her father's stance on the Aurat March and does not identify as a liberal.
