The Lahore Sessions Court on Monday concluded the hearing of a Rs1 billion defamation suit filed by singer-actor Ali Zafar against fellow singer Meesha Shafi, who had accused him of sexual harassment.
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The proceedings were overseen by Additional District and Sessions Judge Asif Hayat, with legal teams for both parties present. The judge noted that a detailed review of the case record was required before announcing a verdict. He indicated that the judgment could be delivered on Tuesday if finalized within court hours, or a new date would be set.
Advocate Umar Tariq Gill, representing the plaintiff, argued that Meesha Shafi’s allegations were false and had caused serious damage to Zafar’s reputation. He emphasized that no other individual had accused Zafar of such conduct and urged the court to award Rs1 billion in damages to his client.
On the other hand, Advocate Saqib Jilani requested dismissal of the suit with costs. He maintained that Meesha had consistently reported multiple incidents of alleged harassment and no concrete evidence of defamation had been produced by Zafar. Jilani argued that Shafi cannot be penalized for speaking about her grievance through a defamation case filed by Zafar.
The lawsuit, filed in 2018, claims that the sexual harassment allegations harmed Zafar’s public image and caused emotional distress to his family. The plaintiff has sought a court decree directing Shafi to pay Rs1 billion in damages.
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The case has drawn widespread attention in Pakistan’s entertainment and legal circles, highlighting ongoing debates around defamation, harassment allegations, and accountability in high-profile disputes. The court’s final verdict is now eagerly awaited.