Pakistani Stars Rally Behind Parishae Adnan After Nadia Khan Interview Sparks Backlash

KARACHI, Pakistan — September 26, 2026 — Pakistani celebrities and creative-industry figures have rallied behind designer Parishae Adnan after a television interview with host Nadia Khan triggered widespread criticism over questions about Adnan’s gym clothing, personal choices and whether her parents were comfortable with what she wears.

Key Points

• Parishae Adnan faced backlash after a Nadia Khan interview focused on her gym wear and personal choices.
• The discussion came shortly after Adnan showcased her Second Skin collection at New York Fashion Week.
• Several Pakistani celebrities, including Yasir Hussain, Yashal Shahid, Ayesha Omar and Anika Zulfiqar, publicly supported Adnan.
• Adnan later addressed the controversy on social media and thanked people who defended her.
• The controversy has renewed debate over whether women in Pakistan’s creative industries are being judged more for their appearance and personal choices than their professional achievements.

Adnan appeared on Rise and Shine, co-hosted by Nadia Khan and Zohaib Hassan on 365 News, following her appearance at New York Fashion Week, where she closed Flying Solo’s showcase with her collection Second Skin. Rather than keeping the conversation focused on the international fashion event, parts of the interview turned toward Adnan’s gym videos, clothing and personal boundaries.

Khan asked Adnan whether the criticism surrounding her gym videos concerned her parents. Adnan responded by explaining that safety is a concern but said messages from women and other followers who had been inspired to begin strength training were an important reason she continued sharing her fitness journey.

The exchange quickly spread across social media, prompting public reactions from several Pakistani entertainment figures.

Actress Anika Zulfiqar criticised the line of questioning and argued that Adnan had much more experience and insight to offer as a guest. Adnan later shared Zulfiqar’s comments and thanked her for speaking up.

Actor Yasir Hussain also weighed in, posting a pointed response in support of Adnan. Singer Yashal Shahid joined the discussion with a sarcastic remark about the scrutiny of Adnan’s gym clothing, while actress Ayesha Omar praised Adnan’s composure and response. Actress Mishi Khan and fashion journalist Aamna Isani were also among those reported to have criticised the direction of the interview.

Adnan herself addressed the controversy through Instagram posts. In one response, she thanked the women around her who recognised that the exchange should not have happened and indicated that she had previously declined invitations to appear on the programme.

The criticism has also drawn attention back to what Adnan had actually achieved before the interview became controversial. Her Second Skin collection at New York Fashion Week explored the reuse of existing garments, combining sustainability with Pakistani craftsmanship and fashion heritage. Reports said the collection reworked older materials and garments into contemporary designs rather than treating them simply as finished pieces.

That contrast — between an international fashion milestone and the subsequent focus on appearance and gym wear — has become a major part of the online debate. The reaction does not establish that every celebrity named on social media supported Adnan, however; several widely circulated claims could not be independently verified in reliable reporting and are therefore not treated as confirmed here.

For Adnan, the episode has placed renewed attention on both her public image and her work as a designer, while the response from fellow artists has turned the interview into a wider discussion about how women in Pakistan’s entertainment and creative industries are questioned about their appearance and personal choices.