Veteran Pakistani actor and artist Jamal Shah has responded to allegations of domestic abuse made by his former wife, actress Feryal Gauhar, saying he has never spoken negatively about her and would not do so now.
Gauhar recently discussed her first marriage to Shah during an appearance on Nida Yasir’s morning show, describing what she said was a deeply difficult nine-year period. Feryal Gauhar has shared serious allegations regarding her past marriage to Jamal Shah, stating that she endured nine years of severe physical and mental domestic abuse. She revealed that the ongoing violence significantly disrupted her education at the University of London, as physical trauma and visible injuries frequently forced her to miss classes. Most tragically, Ms. Gauhar disclosed that the domestic assaults resulted in multiple miscarriages, including the loss of unborn twins, which ultimately prompted her doctors to intervene and led to her decision to leave the marriage.
Her comments quickly generated discussion on social media, particularly because Gauhar and Shah had appeared together on television earlier this year, decades after their separation. Their joint appearance had been presented as an example of maintaining civility after divorce. Shah rejected the suggestion that he had previously attacked or criticised Gauhar publicly. “I have never said anything bad about Feryal in any interview,” he wrote, while explaining that he had remained particularly reserved during their recent appearance on Nida Yasir’s programme.
میں نے آج تک کس بھی انٹرویو میں فریال کو بُرا نہیں کہا، ندا میری بیٹیوں کی طرح ہے جب اُس نے مجھے اپنے پروگرام کے لئے فون پر ریکویسٹ کی تو یہ نہیں بتایا تھا کہ فریال بھی ہونگی۔ ایک آدھ دن بعد اُنکا بھی بتایا تو مُجھے انکار کرنا ذرا معیوب لگا۔ندا کے پروگرام میں خاصا ریزرو رہا اور… https://t.co/mD7NYapO9f
— Jamal Shah (@SydJamalShah) September 2, 2026
Shah said his marriage to Gauhar lasted five years and that they separated in what he described as a civilised manner. He added that neither side publicly discussed their divorce for a long period.
“My prayers are still with her,” Shah said, expressing the hope that Gauhar would remain happy with her family. He also said that he was grateful for his present family life and described his current wife and children warmly.
Addressing the circumstances surrounding their recent television appearance, Shah said Nida Yasir had initially invited him without telling him that Gauhar would also be appearing. When he was informed later, he said, he felt declining the invitation would be inappropriate. He described Nida as being like a daughter to him and said he remained “quite reserved” during the programme.
Shah also revealed that a television channel subsequently approached him about making a drama based on his and Gauhar’s lives. Although he initially indicated that he would consider the proposal after seeing the script, he has now said he is no longer willing to participate.
The dispute has once again placed the private history of two prominent figures from Pakistan’s television industry under public scrutiny. While Gauhar has spoken openly about her account of the marriage, Shah has maintained that he will not respond by speaking against his former wife.