TV host and journalist Esshal Adnan has leveled serious accusations against veteran journalist and talk show host Aftab Iqbal, alleging that he sexually harassed her and later removed her from his Express TV program after she rejected his alleged advances.
In a recent podcast interview with Unfold Pakistan, Esshal shared details of the incident, saying she was hired as a co-host on Aftab Iqbal’s show, with promotional material already featuring her name and image. However, she claimed that just three days into her new role, her excitement turned to discomfort after facing what she described to be sexual harassment from the host.
Esshal said she confronted Aftab Iqbal directly, telling him, “I respect you, but this behavior is unacceptable for someone of your seniority.” She alleged that he reacted angrily, threatening to remove her from the show and block her from future television opportunities.
According to her, he allegedly followed up on his threats, stripping her of her co-hosting position and excluding her from the program entirely — an incident she says occurred in front of several witnesses.
Esshal added that she reported the matter to the HR department, prompting the channel’s owner to get involved. She claimed the owner acknowledged Aftab Iqbal’s powerful standing but reassured her that she would not face retaliation for coming forward.
Despite the ordeal, Esshal said she has since moved on, expressing that she believes Aftab Iqbal may have changed over time. “He’s now a father of four daughters and a son — I think he has learned from his mistakes,” she commented.
Her allegations come amid previous controversies linked to Aftab Iqbal, including reports of misconduct toward female colleagues and concealing a co-host’s marriage, issues that have recently resurfaced in media discussions.
Check out the interview here:
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