Iqrar ul Hassan Responds to Allegations of Sar-e-Aam Using Planted Stories

Iqrar ul Hassan, one of Pakistan’s most prominent investigative journalists and the face behind ARY News’ long-running program Sar-e-Aam, has finally responded in detail to the persistent allegations that the show is "planted" or staged for ratings. Over the years, Sar-e-Aam has gained both fame and controversy for its daring exposés on corruption, illegal practices, and systemic failures across various sectors — from police departments and hospitals to food factories and fake clinics. While the program has been widely praised for bringing public issues to light, it has also faced backlash, with critics and even some of those exposed accusing it of orchestrating scenes to create sensationalism.

In a recent podcast interview with his college friend and host Zohaib Saleem Butt, Iqrar broke his silence and addressed the criticism head-on. During the candid conversation, Iqrar strongly denied any claims of staging or fabricating content for his show. He emphasized the authenticity of his work by pointing out the real-life consequences that follow each episode.

He explained, “Who else would know better than you that such shows can’t be planted or staged. How can you assume that I caught a police officer and that he would be foolish enough to act as a ‘corrupt officer’ just because the show is planted and I want ratings for it? What a ridiculous claim!” He stressed that the kind of deeply rooted corruption and crime Sar-e-Aam reveals simply couldn’t be scripted. "You can watch any of my episodes, but you can’t say they’re planted," he said firmly.

Iqrar also gave examples of the real dangers and challenges the team faces during investigations. He pointed out the many times they recovered missing girls from hidden locations, which involved not just undercover operations but also confronting dangerous individuals. According to him, the risk and unpredictability of these missions are proof enough that the content cannot be fabricated.

He went on to explain why the allegations exist in the first place. “Police officers and factory owners call the show planted because no one wants to admit their corruption,” Iqrar said. He explained that once someone is exposed, it’s common for their entire network — others engaged in similar corrupt practices — to turn against the show. “Naturally, their entire circle becomes your enemy because you’ve exposed people involved in similar corrupt practices. They’ll call you a blackmailer and accuse you of doing a planted show.”

Through this podcast appearance, Iqrar ul Hassan aimed to clear the air about the integrity of his journalism and the mission of Sar-e-Aam. He reaffirmed that his team’s work is driven by a real desire to hold wrongdoers accountable, not by ratings or publicity stunts. For Iqrar, the criticism is a side effect of tackling powerful interests, and he remains committed to uncovering the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be for those in power.

If you'd like, I can summarize the key points from the podcast or provide a brief analysis of how Sar-e-Aam has influenced investigative journalism in Pakistan.