Jamal Shah denies ex-wife Faryal Gohar’s abuse allegations, says they separated in a “civilised manner”

Veteran Pakistani actor and filmmaker Jamal Shah has responded to serious allegations made by his former wife, actress and writer Faryal Gohar, strongly denying that he subjected her to domestic violence during their marriage.

The controversy began after Gohar spoke about her past relationship during an appearance on Nida Yasir’s Good Morning Pakistan. She described the marriage as a difficult nine-year period and alleged that she experienced physical violence and severe restrictions.

Gohar claimed that she was beaten with leather belts and suffered serious physical consequences. She also spoke about pregnancy losses and said the experience had a lasting impact on her life. Her comments quickly drew attention on social media and prompted a wider discussion about domestic violence and the pressures women can face inside marriage.

Jamal Shah rejects the allegations

Shah has now shared his side of the story, firmly rejecting Gohar’s account.

In a statement posted on X, the actor said there was “no domestic violence” during their marriage. He also disputed Gohar’s account of her pregnancy loss, saying that she lost a pregnancy in 1985 following a dog bite.

Shah further stated that the couple married in 1984, spent time in London while he studied at the Slade College of Art between 1986 and 1988, and divorced in 1989.

He described their separation as having taken place in a “civilised manner” and said he had deliberately avoided speaking negatively about his former wife publicly.

Two very different accounts

The latest statements have placed two sharply different accounts of the former couple’s marriage in the public spotlight.

While Gohar has described years of alleged abuse and a restrictive environment, Shah maintains that domestic violence did not occur. At present, the allegations remain disputed, with both former spouses presenting different versions of events.

The discussion has also generated reactions from people within Pakistan’s entertainment industry. Actress and television host Mishi Khan questioned Gohar’s decision to appear alongside Shah on a television programme earlier this year, pointing to what she viewed as an apparent contrast between their public interaction and Gohar’s recent allegations.

The controversy has once again brought conversations about domestic violence into the spotlight. Gohar used her experience to encourage women to recognize that they deserve safety and respect, while Shah has strongly rejected the allegations against him.

For now, the former couple’s conflicting accounts continue to fuel public debate, with neither side accepting the other’s version of their past marriage.