‘I Was Beaten With Leather Belts After Marriage,’ Says Actress Faryal Gohar
KARACHI: Renowned Pakistani television and theatre actress Faryal Gohar has spoken about alleged domestic violence she experienced during her nine-year marriage, revealing that she was physically abused with leather belts and suffered serious health complications as a result.
Speaking on Nida Yasir’s morning show, Faryal Gohar said she married for love at the age of 23, but her married life became extremely difficult. She alleged that she was repeatedly beaten with leather belts, which affected her kidneys and required her to undergo several surgeries. She also said she lost a pregnancy due to the injuries she suffered.
The actress recalled that she used makeup to conceal bruises on her body caused by the alleged violence and was forced to miss classes because of her injuries.
“They would tell me to have children, but how could I have children when I was being beaten with leather belts?” she said, explaining that the violence ultimately resulted in the loss of her pregnancy.
کہا جاتا تھا کے اولاد پیدا کر لو اولاد کیسے پیدا کریں جب آپ کو چمڑے کے بیلٹ سے مارا جائےجس کی وجہ سے ہونے والی اولاد ضائع ہو گئی ـ فریال گوہر https://t.co/AMi7oHYMkj pic.twitter.com/AOKy5klJz6
— s0nhri sn0w(ڈاکٹر سوہنی) (@s0nhri_sn0w) September 1, 2026
Faryal Gohar said she was also subjected to severe restrictions alongside the physical abuse. She was allegedly not allowed to go out or travel alone, while rickshaws were covered with curtains when she travelled. She also said she was forced to wear her mother-in-law’s shuttle-style burqa.
She said she was neither financially nor dependent on her family, but social pressure kept her in the abusive marriage for nine years.
According to the actress, her family had initially been pleased with the marriage because they believed the man belonged to a Syed family. However, she said her family later acknowledged that a person who physically abuses his wife cannot be considered a good human being, regardless of his background.
Faryal Gohar further said that a large number of women in Pakistan experience domestic violence, including educated and financially independent women.
She emphasized that domestic violence is not limited to physical assault, but can also include isolation, social pressure, restrictions on personal freedom and other forms of control.
The actress urged women facing abusive circumstances to find the courage to speak up and seek a better future.
She said the most important realization was that a person must understand that they deserve a better life and then find the courage to leave abusive circumstances.
