Model and actress Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has drawn criticism online after remarks about hiring preferences for staff at her restaurants sparked debate on social media.

Khattak, who has moved into the food business in recent years, operates two eateries in Lahore – Roni's Pizzeria and Picky Patty – and often shares updates about her ventures with her large social media following.

In a recent video posted on Instagram, Khattak said she preferred to hire Pashtun staff because she believed they were more trustworthy. The comments quickly triggered a wave of criticism online, with many users calling the remarks discriminatory and irresponsible given her public profile.

Several social media users said generalising about entire communities based on personal experiences promoted harmful stereotypes. Some also urged Khattak to apologise for the statement.

One Pashtun user stated that her comment is disrespectful to Urdu-speaking and Punjabi people. Another user wrote that people should boycott her businesses if she only wanted Pashtun customers. Another said judging entire communities in such a manner reflected a stereotypical mindset. Khattak has not publicly responded to the criticism so far.