TV personality Esshal Adnan has made serious allegations against senior journalist and talk show host Aftab Iqbal, accusing him of sexual harassment and claiming she was forced out of his Express TV program after refusing his alleged inappropriate demands.
Speaking in a recent podcast, Esshal detailed her ordeal, saying she joined Aftab Iqbal’s show as a co-host, with promotional teasers and banners already released under her name. However, she alleged that her excitement quickly turned into distress when the host made unwelcome advances just three days into her role.
Esshal recounted confronting Aftab Iqbal directly, saying, “I respect you, but such behavior is not acceptable for a senior anchor.” According to her, the host reacted angrily to her rejection, threatening to remove her from the program and prevent her from appearing on television again.
She claimed that he carried out the threat immediately, revoking her co-hosting role and removing her from the show altogether. “There were multiple witnesses present when this happened,” she added.
Esshal said she reported the incident to the TV channel’s HR department, which led to the owner stepping in. While the owner reportedly acknowledged Aftab Iqbal’s influence, he assured her that no action would be taken against her for speaking up.
Despite the emotional toll, Esshal stated that she has since moved on and believes Aftab Iqbal has changed over time. “He is now a father to four daughters and a son, and I think he has learned from his mistakes,” she remarked.
Her claims add to a series of past controversies involving Aftab Iqbal, including reports of inappropriate conduct toward female colleagues and concealing a co-host’s marriage for several years — allegations that resurfaced recently in media circles.
