Recently, Khalilur Rehman Qamar - the acclaimed Pakistani scriptwriter known for his impactful dramas - has been embroiled in a controversy involving purported flirtatious messages with a female television host Amna Arooj.

Here’s a breakdown of the claims and the facts:

The allegation:

Screenshots of a chat purportedly between Khalilur Rehman Qamar and Amna Arooj, a television host, have circulated on social media. These images were shared by Zahir Mehmood, who claims to be a journalist.

According to Mehmood, the messages date back to August 13, 2022, a day when Qamar was a guest of honor at an Independence Day event.

He alleged that the conversation took place in his presence and involved his friend, who had welcomed Qamar with a song.

The response:

In response to the circulating screenshots, Samaa Digital reached out to Khalilur Rehman Qamar’s secretary for clarification. The secretary stated that the chat in question was not with Amna Arooj.

Instead, it involved a fellow singer back in 2022. The secretary asserted that attributing the messages to Arooj was inaccurate.

Compounding the situation, reports have emerged about a separate, serious incident involving Mr Qamar.

According to these reports, he was lured to a residence by a woman under the pretense of discussing a drama project.

Upon arrival, he was reportedly seized by armed assailants who demanded a ransom.

The screenwriter managed to secure his release after paying a significant amount. The Sundar Police have filed a case based on Khalil’s account, detailing a violent ordeal involving beatings, threats, and coercion for additional funds from his relatives.

Fact-check summary:

Chat authenticity: The circulating screenshots of flirtatious messages are claimed to be misattributed. Khalilur Rehman Qamar’s secretary has confirmed that the chat was with a different individual, not Amna Arooj.
Incident of kidnapping: There is a verified incident involving Qamar being kidnapped and subjected to ransom demands. This case has been officially reported and is under investigation by the police.