Latest news with #MariaB
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Shehzad Ghias claims Maria B sued him for defamation
Pakistani YouTuber, comedian, and podcaster Shehzad Ghias Shaikh has claimed he may face arrest or detention next week in connection with a defamation case involving fashion designer Maria B, being pursued through the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). In a video published on his YouTube channel, Ghias claimed that he had received a court summons for Monday, but that the official details of the case, including the charges, remained unclear. 'I have no idea what I've been summoned for. I've received no case details,' Ghias said in the video, adding that he feared a First Information Report (FIR) may have been filed by the FIA and subsequently forwarded to the court. He said that Maria B initially issued a civil legal notice against him for defamation but later pursued criminal defamation charges through the FIA, a move he described as disproportionate and intended to silence dissent. 'They didn't go for a civil suit; they went straight to the FIA,' he said, adding that his criticism of Maria B's actions was based on opinion and did not meet the threshold for defamation under Pakistani law. Ghias also claimed that the complaint stemmed from his previous commentary and content, including episodes discussing Maria B and influencer-related issues, though he asserted he never initiated a smear campaign or intentionally defamed anyone. 'I never even named her in recent videos. There were far more damaging things I could have done, and I didn't.' He further said the pressure campaign was part of a wider 'elite culture of silencing critics' in Pakistan, adding: 'The rich in this country think they can use any institution — the FIA, the courts — to crush dissent.' In a tweet accompanying the video, Ghias wrote:'For months Maria B has been using the FIA to silence us. I have been summoned by the court on Monday now, where I might be arrested or detained… Imagine – going to jail over a joke? Does freedom of speech even exist in Pakistan anymore?' For months Maria B has been using the FIA to silence us, I have been summoned by the court on Monday now, where I might be arrested or detained: Imagine - going to jail over a joke? Does freedom of speech even exist in Pakistan anymore? — Shehzad Ghias Shaikh (@Shehzad89) June 18, 2025 He urged his followers to raise awareness on social media if he is detained. 'The more pressure there is online, the better my chances of not being jailed for long,' he said. Some users on X have expressed support for Shehzad Ghias Voices like @Shehzad89 are a threat to those who run on hate and fear the truth. We should not let people like Maria B. silence them. Not now, not ever. — Midha (@MidhaTheDreamer) June 19, 2025 More power to you, @Shehzad89! May the truth revealed by @ThePakistanExp1 always stay alive. It's high time we stand with him and appreciate his relentless efforts to enlighten the people of Pakistan.#ThePakistanExperiment #ShehzadSpeaksTruthhttps:// — Wamiq (@Wamiqulhaq) June 18, 2025 Meanwhile, others are backing Maria B. Maria B, how can we thank you for this noble act. — خان (@Khanstitution1) June 18, 2025 This has to be the best thing Maria B has ever done — Osama 🇵🇰 (@Osama_z1a) June 18, 2025 Maria B could not be reached for comment.
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Turkish influencer accuses Maria B of evading payment
In posts shared on Instagram on Sunday, Turkish content creator Türkan Atay accused Pakistani clothing brand Maria B for evading payment that the influencer claims the two parties agreed on. Türkan began by mentioning that she shot a reel for the brand in Istanbul earlier this year and negotiated her terms. "Basically, for shooting in Istanbul, the cost is divided based on the shoot's location, videography, video editing, and so on. So I gave them a price per outfit. They even agreed to it. I have all the messages," she said. Once the video was done, however, Türkan claimed that the brand backtracked by not giving her the discussed amount, prompting her to reach out. "So I said, 'Look, this isn't what we talked about. We agreed on a 'per outfit' payment. The messages clearly state that.' They told me, 'Oh, sorry. There's been a misunderstanding. We pay international influencers on a 'per reel' basis." The content creator assured her followers that she was not doing this out of desperation for money but for self-respect. "I've been going over this with them for 3 months now," she said. "The amount isn't even all that much for you. Just give me my due payment, and I'll give it to those who deserve it. And I will never collaborate with you again." In a follow-up video, Türkan shared screenshots of her communication with the brand's executives. She claimed that her politeness was only met with disregard. "It's not about money, it's about being respectful to the people you collaborate with." In response, the official account of Maria B took to Instagram Stories to issue a statement regarding the matter. Priding its transparent partnership with the digital community, the brand said, "Over the years, we have successfully collaborated with hundreds of influencers and content creators, ensuring fair compensation and mutual respect in all engagements. And we are proudly known for our best payment practices. In our 25 years, we have neither withheld payment nor retracted from our commitments." The statement added that the recent controversy "was a regrettable misunderstanding that we were committed to resolve." However, the brand denied the accusation of withholding payment. "A meeting had been set up to address the issue, but the influencer chose to make a defaming reel instead of accepting to resolve the issue amicably," the statement further read. "We regret the misunderstanding. We remain committed to supporting the creative community and continuing to build respectful, transparent relationships with all our collaborators."
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Maria B served legal notice by Turkish influencer for unpaid dues
Listen to article Pakistani designer Maria B is facing legal action from Turkish influencer Türkan Atay, who has accused the brand of failing to fully compensate her for work on a campaign shoot in Türkiye earlier this year. Atay, who is married to a Pakistani and affectionately known online as 'Pakistani Bhabhi,' issued a legal notice on Thursday demanding $8,000 in unpaid dues and a formal public apology. The sum includes the outstanding campaign payment, legal costs, and compensation for mental distress. Atay alleges she was hired to manage a shoot for Maria B's 2025 collection and was promised payment per outfit, inclusive of production costs. However, she claims the brand later issued a lump-sum payment, citing a misunderstanding. 'To support her claims, Atay shared alleged screenshots of messages with the brand's PR manager. 'Per outfit with touristic location and professional video [redacted] USD,'' she wrote in one message. The manager reportedly responded with an admission: 'God knows how I missed the per outfit part.' The dispute has since become a public spat. Atay posted a series of Instagram videos asserting that she had been negotiating for three months, only to be blocked by Maria B on social media. 'She cannot bear to apologise. That's why she has blocked me and other people,' Atay claimed. In a video response, Maria B blamed the issue on a 'junior PR girl' and stated, 'At Maria B, we don't throw people under the bus.' She added that Atay had received clothes worth 'lacs' and rejected offers to settle privately. The brand has called the situation a 'payment misunderstanding,' criticising Atay's videos as 'defamatory content.' A formal statement noted, 'Full payment was offered, and multiple attempts were made to resolve the matter privately.' The legal notice, filed on April 24, claims the influencer has suffered reputational harm and financial loss due to 'baseless and defamatory' allegations made by the brand. It warns that failure to meet the demands within seven days may result in legal proceedings.
Express Tribune
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Turkish influencer Turkan Atay accuses designer Maria B of non-payment
Listen to article Turkish content creator Turkan Atay has publicly accused renowned Pakistani fashion designer Maria B of failing to fully compensate her for a brand shoot in Turkey earlier this year. Atay, who has over 850,000 followers on Instagram and creates Urdu-language content, claimed she was approached by Maria B's team in 2025 to manage a location shoot in Turkey. The agreement, she said, included a charge per outfit to cover local production costs. Despite completing the project, Atay stated that she had received only partial payment. She alleged the brand later disputed the agreement, saying payments were usually made per social media reel and not per outfit. 'It's been three months,' Atay said in a video message. 'They've wasted my time, dodged complete payment, and treated me unprofessionally.' She also accused the designer's team of deleting prior communications after her husband attempted to mediate.
Express Tribune
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
HSY thinks that farshi shalwars are for everyone
Farshi shalwar is making waves in the fashion industry, with almost every major designer incorporating this traditional yet elegant attire into their collections. Social media is buzzing with reels and posts showcasing the revival of this classic trend. However, not everyone agrees on its suitability, and opinions are divided among fashion critics and designers. On Saturday, top Pakistani fashion designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY) weighed in on the debate during his appearance on a local channel's Ramazan transmission, sharing a perspective that clashed with fellow designer Maria B. HSY expressed a strong stance in favour of the farshi shalwar, advocating for its universal appeal. He encouraged women of all body types and ages to embrace the outfit, emphasising its beauty and modesty. "Everyone should get it stitched," HSY stated. "Farshi shalwar is deeply rooted in our culture and offers an elegant and modest fashion choice for women from all backgrounds. Whether someone is modern or traditional, the desire to look stylish while maintaining modesty is a common thread among Pakistani women. This outfit allows them to embrace fashion without revealing their body curves." He further elaborated on styling options, dispelling the misconception that farshi shalwar is only suited for specific body types or should only be paired with short shirts. "Let me tell you, you can wear a farshi shalwar with a knee-length or long shirt - it looks incredibly stylish and graceful. Even women with a fuller figure can opt for longer chaaks on their shirts to enhance their overall look." Contrary to HSY's inclusive stance, Maria B had a different opinion regarding the farshi shalwar trend, as she expressed on her Instagram on the same day. While she acknowledged its beauty, she suggested that it is more flattering on younger women who are tall and slim: "I love seeing my daughter, Fatima, who's twenty, in a farshi shalwar but me? Not always." She went on to say that the first consideration to buying and styling a farshi shalwar is age, and that older women should avoid it. She also said, "If you are short and on the curvy side, you should be careful. Not every trend is for everyone." This statement sparked debate among fashion enthusiasts, with many agreeing with HSY's assertion that fashion should be accessible and adaptable for all body types and ages. With two of Pakistan's leading fashion designers holding opposing views, the conversation surrounding farshi shalwar continues to gain traction. As this trend evolves, one thing is certain - farshi shalwar is here to stay, with designers and fashion lovers shaping its future in diverse ways.
