‘Consult Abu before deciding how to breathe, dress, or celebrate!’: Hira Khan slams Ejaz Waris for policing Saba Qamar

Actor Hira Khan didn’t hold back as she responded to influencer Dr. Ejaz Waris’ harsh critique of Saba Qamar’s film-themed birthday party. Posting his video on Instagram, Khan wrote, “Someone please take the mic away from this phuppo,” rejecting the idea that celebrities are “public property” and insisting that a performer’s craft is separate from their personal life.

Waris had taken aim at the celebration, accusing the attendees of abandoning local cultural values. “I was just watching the videos of Saba Qamar's birthday; we have already become half-Western,” he said, singling out Aima Baig’s attire and calling stylist Adnan Zafar (Ken Doll) “pathetic.” He argued that Qamar, given her influential roles, should act as a “decent” role model. “You have become an ideal. Dance parties are happening in the dark. Birthdays are not celebrated like this, sorry to say,” he added.

Qamar, celebrated for her performances in Baaghi, Cheekh, and Case No. 9, hosted the stylish gathering in a black high-neck suit and heels, surrounded by friends and industry colleagues. The multi-tiered cake, decorated with cinema icons, highlighted her career in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. Viral clips from the night featured Aima Baig, Bilal Saeed, and Ken Doll.

Hira Khan criticized Waris’ comments sharply, pointing out the absurdity of policing personal choices. “How to celebrate birthdays, what clothes to wear, even how to breathe maybe we should consult this ‘father figure’ before deciding,” she wrote. She also noted the irony of gossip pages criticizing the very people who provide them with content. “Your two-rupee page is running because of the dramas, content, and personal lives of these artists you sit and critique,” she added, insisting that it’s possible to disagree with “grace” rather than attacking women for their outfits.

The public remains split. Fans of the actors told Waris to “live and let live,” emphasizing that celebrities are public figures, not public property. Others agreed with Waris that posting such celebrations online could set a questionable trend for younger audiences, though they criticized his phrasing. One commenter even suggested that actors who cannot align with local culture should “change their nationality.”