Zoya Nasir challenges Saba Faisal over divorce remarks

Pakistani actress Zoya Nasir has respectfully disagreed with veteran actress Saba Faisal’s controversial remarks about divorced women, stressing that ending a marriage should never be a source of shame for a woman or her family.

Speaking on the programme Gup Shab, Zoya addressed Faisal’s recent statement suggesting that divorce had become too casual among women and that, in the past, a father would feel ashamed if his daughter’s marriage ended.

Zoya said she respected Faisal as an artist and appreciated the support she had received from her. However, she disagreed with her views on divorce, explaining that women often make such difficult decisions when they see no other way out of an unhappy marriage.

The actress emphasised that divorce is not an easy decision and can leave women emotionally distressed. She said a woman may lose a part of herself while going through the experience, making emotional recovery and healing essential.

Zoya also made it clear that neither a divorced woman nor her father should be expected to carry a sense of shame because a marriage has ended. She highlighted the importance of understanding the circumstances behind such decisions instead of judging women for them.

Having experienced divorce and a major breakup herself, Zoya brought a personal perspective to the discussion. Her comments highlighted the emotional challenges women can face when navigating the end of a relationship and rebuilding their lives.

The discussion has brought renewed attention to social attitudes towards divorce in Pakistan, where women can face criticism and pressure from families and society after the breakdown of a marriage.

Zoya’s response underlined the need for empathy and respect, arguing that a woman’s dignity should not be measured by whether her marriage lasts. Her remarks also encouraged a more compassionate approach towards women who choose to leave relationships they believe they can no longer continue.