The dispute escalates after Tabish Hashmi comments on “planted calls” in Ramadan shows, prompting a sharp response from Javeria Saud on social media.
Pakistan’s television industry has been stirred by a growing controversy after host Tabish Hashmi commented on what he described as “cringe morning show clips” and “planted calls” during Ramadan transmissions, sparking a strong reaction from actress and host Javeria Saud.
Tabish Hashmi, currently one of the most popular entertainment hosts in Pakistan, made the remarks during a conversation with Nadia Khan. He expressed mixed feelings about viral television moments, stating that while some clips entertain him as memes, others appear uncomfortable or “cringe.” He further criticized the practice of staged or planted calls in live transmissions, saying it lacks grace and professionalism.
He also acknowledged the competitive nature of television ratings, noting that hosts are often well-paid and under pressure to perform. However, he emphasized that chasing ratings through questionable methods does not align with his personal views on broadcasting ethics.
Following his comments, Javeria Saud responded strongly on Instagram, rejecting his criticism. She took exception to his remarks about Ramadan transmissions and accused him of being inconsistent in his judgment of the industry.
In her response, she stated that individuals often criticize others while benefiting from similar rating-driven humor or content strategies throughout the year. She implied that if another program outperformed him in ratings during Ramadan, it should not be taken negatively. She ended her remarks with a sharp phrase, intensifying the tone of the exchange and advising him to continue working as he has the rest of the year to do so.
The exchange has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with audiences divided over issues of television ethics, ratings competition, and the use of scripted or staged content in entertainment programming.
Tabish Hashmi has not yet issued a further response to Javeria Saud’s remarks, while the debate continues to trend across digital platforms.
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