Alizeh Shah Reveals Why She Stepped Back from Showbiz: “No Respect, No Timely Payments

Lahore:Popular Pakistani actress Alizeh Shah has publicly shared the reasons behind her absence from the entertainment industry, citing delayed payments and lack of respect for artists as key issues.

In a video shared on her social media, Alizeh Shah expressed frustration over the challenges faced by actors, revealing that payments for drama projects are often delayed for up to three months. “We have to beg for our own earnings,” she said. “When the payment finally arrives, it feels like a favour has been done to us.”

### **Key Statements by Alizeh Shah:**

* “Being an actor is not easy. We work hard and yet face humiliation when asking for the money we rightfully earned.”
* “When I speak up and say I need to support my family, I’m told that I’m already being given ‘enough to get by’. They act like offering a role in a big production is some kind of favour.”
* “I don’t want any favours. Keep them. If there’s no respect in the work, what’s the point of doing it?”

Alizeh further revealed that after she demanded her payment, social media pages were allegedly paid to mock and troll her online. “Memes were made about me. I was insulted in meetings. Giving me work does not mean you own me. I just want respect and timely payment.”

She didn’t hold back in criticizing the industry, stating:

> “If you can’t even pay an actor on time, you’re the real beggars here. You build palaces by eating up artists’ money — one day they’ll collapse.”

### **Wider Industry Issue**

Alizeh Shah’s remarks echo similar concerns previously raised by veteran actor Muhammad Ahmed and several others about the chronic issue of delayed payments in Pakistan’s entertainment industry.

Her bold statement has sparked a conversation online about fair treatment, dignity, and financial transparency for artists — issues that continue to plague the industry despite its rapid growth.