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Saheefa Jabbar Khattak slammed for ‘entitled’ post about her house help ‘wasting’ money

Saheefa Jabbar Khattak slammed for ‘entitled’ post about her house help ‘wasting’ money

The model turned actor is being called out for shaming her house help online for how she spent money given to her.
Updated 12 Mar, 2025

In a deeply polarising moment, model-turned-actor Saheefa Jabbar Khattak took to Instagram to air her grievances about how her domestic help, Musarrat, had “wasted” the charity money she had been given and the internet was none too happy with her comments.

The post is being called out as tone-deaf.

In it, Jabbar lamented that Musarrat had spent the Rs50,000 she gave her in just two days — on Eid clothes and a bicycle for her children. This, according to Jabbar, was a misuse of the money. She wrote that she believed she should have made the purchases herself instead of giving Musarrat the money to use.

“It hurts to see that when you try to help people who are underprivileged, they end up wasting money,” she wrote, going on to detail how she would’ve made ‘better’ spending choices for Musarrat — thrift shopping, Liberty Market, stitched fabrics.

What was perhaps most jarring wasn’t just her micromanagement of someone else’s finances, but the invasive dissection of Musarrat’s personal life.

In a move many called outright humiliating, Jabbar publicly shared details about the condition of Musarrat’s bathroom, her home’s leaky roof, and her children’s material needs — painting a pitiful portrait of her help without consent, in, as several commenters pointed out, a language Musarrat likely doesn’t even understand.

‘This isn’t charity, it’s a power play

Social media was quick to call out the actor’s comments. One user described it as “a power move disguised as kindness,” highlighting the unsettling tendency to dictate the lives of those receiving charity.

“Why are the poor held to such insane standards?” another questioned.

Commenters slammed the post as performative. Many noted that if the money was truly given in the spirit of charity, the giver had no right to police its use.

Another pointed out the disturbing class disconnect in Jabbar’s post.

Doubling down in the comments

After the backlash, Jabbar doubled down on, vehemently defending her position in lengthy comment replies, rattling off a list of things she and her family had done for Musarrat over the years, ranging from giving her toys, PR packages, chocolates and clothes from her shoots.

At one point, she even claimed: “If I take you to her house, everything she owns is given to her by me.”

Her comments left many baffled and several commenters pointed out the irony of trying to teach financial literacy while bragging about her own generosity and reducing Musarrat’s dignity to a list of donated goods.

She even stated: “I take Musarrat as my sister. And as an older sister, I will always slap the s**t out of my sister for wasting money like that especially when she is one of the needy ones,” further infantilising and policing a grown woman who simply made personal spending choices that brought momentary joy to her family.

After posting videos with Musarrat in which they laughed at the backlash, she then made a second post in which she doubled down on her sentiments even more and said, “I believe in financial responsibility, not just for myself but for those who work for me. I want my house help to secure her future, take care of her children, ensure their health and education, and safeguard her home and family. Saving money is not greed; it’s survival.”

She then took a shot at celebrities and influencers who, in her words, “Fly business class, stay in five-star hotels, get paid for lavish trips, all under the name of raising funds for the underprivileged?”

She also slammed her detractors, asking “How many of you are truly willing to break the class divide you claim to care about? Would you share your plate with your house help? Drink from the same glass? Sit at the same dining table? Let them wear your clothes? If not, then stop the hypocrisy.”

Some comments on the post reminded her that she seemed to have missed the point entirely. One person highlighted that basic respect wasn’t being accorded to Musarrat.

One person agreed with Jabbar’s sentiment but said the main issue was the public shaming of her house help.

The situation highlighted a prevalent issue in South Asia that is deeply entrenched in class dynamics where charity often comes with strings attached and a voyeuristic need to “correct” the lifestyles of the underprivileged. The question it raises is simple yet uncomfortable — is it still generosity if it comes with judgment and surveillance?

That Jabbar provides for the people in her employ is good. That she recognises that they require money is good. But that she is shaming a grown adult online for her financial choices is not good. If a grown adult wants to spend their money — and once you give charity to someone, it becomes their money — on something, that is their choice. It may not be the choice you would make, but that’s where free will comes in.

As many people in the comments pointed out — the choices of the underprivileged are often policed from a position of extreme privilege, as if they don’t deserve nice things or small joys.

If this incident teaches us anything, it is that the dignity of those we claim to help should never be up for dissection on social media.

Comments

Reality Mar 12, 2025 11:32am
I dont think she was wrong though her choice of words were. It's ok to wish for their money being put to good use
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Mar 12, 2025 12:08pm
Unfortunately, the true concept of freedom of choice is missing in the ranks of columns of many people in South Asia in general and the "Land of the Pure" in particular.
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Fatima Mar 12, 2025 01:50pm
That use of ‘south Asia’ ?
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Nasir Askar Mar 12, 2025 02:14pm
Giving charity and then ranting on social media is just like the ball of Chetan Sharma to Javed Miandad
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Laila Mar 12, 2025 02:19pm
Its tricky. I think Ms Khattak and her critics both have a point. Yes once you donate money to somebody, they decide how to use it. Or not use it. No, she wasn't shaming her helps lifestyle or putting her on display. Rather it offers a valuable insight into how less fortunate many are. Its not uncommon for helps to share of their own lives with their boss. That's what I have seen on other people's homes who have help. They even talk about intimate things and to guests too. Boundaries, hello!? Yes, Ms Khattak is entitled but she is correct about financial responsibility, but then next time instead of giving the money, she can make a savings account for her help or her kids that can't be touched for a specified time etc. There are issues involving women and money and needs that overrule material spending to bear in mind more so for women. However, the money is the helps. So she spent it. Not much to do.
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Tahmad Mar 12, 2025 03:18pm
Donating in the name of charity is a big fraud in the world specially in West and Eastern countries. Please, before you donate money to any charity, investigate first with all facts before making donations.
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Xohaib Mar 12, 2025 04:56pm
Correct people behind closed doors, else its just for show / traction Peace
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JAMIL SOOMRO Mar 12, 2025 05:01pm
Rs.50,000 is lot of money. I fully agree with Saheefa when she says blasting people," Would you share your plate with your house help, drink from the same glass, sit at the same dining table, let them wear your clothes, if not, then stop the hypocrisy.? Well said.
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Raja Rafique Ahmed Mar 12, 2025 08:36pm
Frustration of superiority prevails in her. Not a single word of repentance.
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Raja Hussain Mar 12, 2025 08:37pm
It boggles my mind to see how she kept defending herself and not realizing the the poor maid has a right to privacy, dignity and self respect. She was so quick to mention her mental health yet she has no concern of others. Highlight that all she has in her house is given has strong odor or narcissisms. Moreover, if you brag about your donations; you are forfeiting the true benefit of charity.
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John Malik Mar 12, 2025 09:00pm
Nuff!!! Who’s this character? Comes across as an uneducated schmuk.
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Nas Tahir Mar 13, 2025 12:02am
She was right in policing her house help as one should know that their hard-earned money is put to good use. Charity is never meant for luxury, it is always for making both ends meet. Nevertheless, her choice of medium was not appropriate
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Amna Mar 13, 2025 02:45am
Once again, like many so called "celebrities" of Pakistan, one more among them has opened her mouth to fall terribly flat on the ground! You thoughts & your actions are pathetic & do not seem like they belong to an educated, let alone, a decent person, in regards to your help who btw has all the right to spend her money however she wants, none of your business! What a shame that you call your money "charity" when actually you attacked and chastised this poor woman right after, where is that written in Islam? Shame on you Saheefa Jabbar!!
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WAHID ANWAR Mar 13, 2025 04:09am
To be honest, once I give someone money in this way, I never look back and try to see how they spend it. The worst they can do is to squander it and have a night out. In that case, good luck to them. I do the same don't I?
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Zulfiqar Mar 13, 2025 08:29am
She should not have posted this on social media. That's not what social media is for. If anything she needs to learn what social media is for.
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Anwar Mar 13, 2025 08:38am
If somebody beggs you that her children are hungry and you give money. Later you find out she spent money on buying new suit for herself how would you feel?
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Ngeh Munch Mar 13, 2025 01:36pm
What inhuman acts happens in Pakistan is a Pakistani issue, why dilute it by dragging in Sri Lanka, Nepal or Bhutan by calling it a 'South Asia' issue. This has been a standard problem with Pakistanis.
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