Appearing on a local channel’s morning show on Thursday, actor Komal Aziz candidly discussed her fears about marriage, saying it remains the one thing she hasn’t yet conquered.

“I’m only scared of one thing which I haven’t done yet, and that’s marriage,” she said. “That’s the last fear of mine that I haven’t conquered. Other than that, I’ve done everything else. I can stand up for myself, I can fight for myself with anyone in power. I can get up on stage and run a business.”

The host responded by saying, “But why are you scared of marriage? It’s such a beautiful relationship.”

Komal explained that her fear stems from childhood observations: “Growing up, it’s not that the marriages I witnessed were bad. It’s that they weren’t so great that I’d grow up dreaming about marriage as my greatest goal.”

She emphasised her focus on personal independence first. “I want to earn my own money — be financially and emotionally independent before I considered marriage.”

She then critiqued how society presents marriage to women. “We say that it’s a beautiful relationship and we show girls salons and pretty clothes. But all that lasts for the first two weeks of the marriage. After that comes real life.”

Komal also voiced concerns about post-marriage limitations on women’s freedom. “Even now, some women aren’t allowed to work after they get married. Women come to my office and they perform so well but then they have to quit when they get married.”

She clarified this doesn’t apply to her own family, “but it’s true for many.”

“And when women aren’t financially independent,” she added, “it’s hard for them to be emotionally independent, too.”

Despite her fears, Komal concluded, “I think it’s getting better with time.”