LAHORE — Singer and actress Meesha Shafi has requested a sessions court in Lahore to dismiss a defamation case filed against her by fellow singer-cum-actor Ali Zafar. The suit stems from Meesha Shafi’s 2018 allegations of sexual harassment, which Zafar claims damaged his reputation and caused personal and family distress.
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During final arguments on Wednesday, Advocate Saqib Jilani, representing Meesha Shafi, argued that no concrete evidence had been presented to substantiate Zafar’s defamation claim. He highlighted that Shafi had consistently reported multiple incidents of alleged harassment and maintained her statements throughout cross-examinations by Zafar’s legal team.
Jilani emphasized that Shafi had initially tried to resolve the matter privately before making it public. “My client cannot be punished for speaking about her own grievance,” he told the court. He also requested that the court dismiss the suit with costs.
On the other hand, Advocate Umar Tariq Gill, representing Ali Zafar, argued that Shafi’s allegations were false and had caused serious damage to Zafar’s reputation. He noted that no one else besides Shafi had accused Zafar of harassment.
Additional District & Sessions Judge Asif Hayat Bajwa adjourned the hearing until Thursday, when the court is expected to consider citations submitted by the defense and may reserve its judgment.
Read More: Meesha suing Ali Zafar for Rs 2 billion for defamation
In his suit, Ali Zafar demanded a decree against Meesha Shafi and sought Rs1 billion in damages, claiming that the 2018 allegations tarnished his public image and caused emotional distress for his family.
The case has attracted widespread attention in Pakistan, highlighting ongoing discussions around accountability, harassment allegations, and defamation laws in the entertainment industry.