Pakistani model and actress Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has found herself at the center of intense online discussion after sharing candid insights about both the challenges of running a restaurant business and the backlash she faced over controversial remarks related to hiring staff.
In a series of Instagram stories, the actor spoke openly about the realities behind her restaurant ventures in Lahore.
Her posts offered followers a raw look at the pressures of entrepreneurship, the struggles of sustaining a new business and the toll it has taken on her health.
Saheefa explained that she officially took over the business as a sole proprietor on February 1, a date she noted also coincided with her father’s birthday.
While the venture initially seemed promising, she admitted that the early days were marked by uncertainty and confusion about how to move forward.
According to the actor, the restaurant continued to operate at a loss for several months after opening, highlighting the financial challenges behind what many assume to be an overnight success.
She revealed that from the time the shop was leased in September until late February, the business failed to turn a profit, despite consistent efforts to grow its customer base.
Saheefa also shed light on the financial realities of working with food delivery platforms.
She claimed that commissions and taxes can consume nearly half of a restaurant’s revenue.
Once operational expenses such as rent, staff salaries and ingredient costs are added, the remaining profit margin can shrink to a relatively small percentage.
The business journey has also come at a personal cost.
Saheefa Jabbar said she has been working continuously for nearly two months without taking a day off.
The demanding schedule has affected her health, as she revealed suffering from a high fever, body aches and extreme exhaustion.
In one particularly alarming moment she shared with followers, Saheefa said she briefly fell asleep in the back of her car due to fatigue while parked outside a restaurant.
During that time, another vehicle reportedly hit one of her parked cars. Despite the incident, she chose to take it in stride, describing it as unfortunate luck rather than something more serious.
The entrepreneur also addressed the wave of criticism that erupted after earlier comments about hiring preferences went viral online.
In the video that sparked the controversy, she spoke about her experiences recruiting staff and expressed a preference for hiring Pashtun workers, describing them as more reliable.
The remarks triggered widespread criticism from social media users who accused her of promoting ethnic stereotypes and discriminatory hiring attitudes.
Soon after the controversy gained attention, Khattak claimed her restaurant received a surge of negative online reviews overnight.
She alleged that many of these ratings were fake and part of a coordinated effort to damage the reputation of her business.
Despite the criticism and setbacks, Khattak maintained a determined tone in her posts.
She emphasized that building a sustainable business requires strong systems, consistent quality and patience rather than relying solely on viral social media attention.
Ending her message on a hopeful note, Saheefa said she plans to take a brief rest to recover before returning to work, adding that her goal is not just to succeed locally but to create a brand that can eventually gain global recognition.
