Actor Javeria Abbasi has criticised fellow actor Saba Qamar over remarks she made about relocating permanently to Karachi, as debate surrounding the comments continues within the entertainment industry and on social media.

Abbasi made the comments during an appearance on host and comedian Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, where she addressed Qamar’s earlier statement in response to a question about moving to Karachi.

Referring to Qamar’s remark, Abbasi said a city that grants an individual fame and recognition deserves respect, adding that such expressions were inappropriate. She said people maintain a deep emotional attachment to their hometowns and generally refrain from speaking negatively about them.

A clip of the interview quickly went viral on social media, reigniting debate both in support of and against Karachi.

Amid the controversy, Qamar shared an Instagram story clarifying that the phrase “Astaghfirullah” is commonly used to seek forgiveness from Allah and that her words had been misunderstood.

In a subsequent post, she stressed that everyone has the right to express their opinion, noting that freedom of expression is important and that individuals should not feel compelled to suppress their views out of fear or restrictions.

The remark drew strong criticism from some Karachi residents at the time.