Former model and actress Zainab Jameel, who left the glamour of showbiz for a life of piety, has made startling revelations about the abuse and restrictions imposed on her by her husband at the behest of his second wife.
The disclosures come as Zainab recuperates from a near-fatal shooting incident in Lahore’s upscale DHA area last month.
On May 22, Zainab was ambushed and shot by unidentified assailants, sustaining serious injuries. The police registered a case against two unknown individuals, while Zainab’s husband secured bail in connection with the case.
Despite directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for swift action, the primary suspects remain at large.
Zainab, currently undergoing extensive medical treatment for multiple gunshot wounds, has been vocal about her suffering in interviews with various YouTubers and social media influencers.
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She recounted a harrowing narrative of domestic abuse, attributing much of her ordeal to her husband’s second wife, who allegedly incited him to mistreat her.
Zainab revealed that her husband, swayed by his second wife, subjected her to physical and psychological abuse.
“She instigated him, claiming my presence on Instagram was inappropriate and that it would set a bad example for other women in the family,” Zainab stated.
Despite dismissing his threats initially, the situation escalated, culminating in severe restrictions and financial constraints.
Zainab detailed an incident from April 2024 when she reported her husband’s threats and violence to the Lahore police. However, the case was allegedly quashed through monetary influence.
“He gave me minimal money for household expenses and barred me from using Instagram,” she recounted. Her decision to earn money via Instagram was met with an ultimatum from her husband to seek a divorce first.
The former model also disclosed that she had considered divorce but requested time to settle matters, only to face further violence. Zainab’s plight was compounded by familial interference.
“A cousin warned me that my in-laws would make my life miserable, and that’s exactly what happened,” she lamented. She was coerced into abandoning her preferred attire and career choices and lived under constant threat.
