"I and my family suffered financially, mentally"
Pakistani singer Meesha Shafi accused fellow musician and actor Ali Zafar of sexual harassment. He has now said that her case has been dismissed.
On April 19, 2018, Meesha posted a lengthy statement on her social media which stated that she had been subjected to sexual harassment by Zafar.
The Pakistani actor firmly denied the allegations and said that he would take the case to court.
Meesha’s account of her ordeal sparked a #MeToo movement within Pakistan’s entertainment industry.
On Saturday, April 27, 2019, Ali spoke to the media outside a sessions court in Lahore and said that Meesha’s case was dismissed as was her appeal.
He also claimed that he was targeted through an elaborate plan for personal gains.
Ali said: “I had filed a defamation case against her and [for its hearing] I have appeared before the court today without even being called.”
The singer and actor went on to say that the case was lodged for the compensation against the losses that “I and my family suffered financially, mentally and in other ways for a year”.
Ali explained that many fake accounts had posted tweets accusing him of sexual harassment. This has affected his reputation as an established actor and singer.
He urged that the case should be decided speedily “so my truth and their lie can be revealed in front of the world”.
“I was targeted through a proper plan for personal gains. All such campaigns against me are based on lies.”
Ali stated that social media campaigns “are still ongoing against me and I have taken this up with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
“Meesha’s lawyer has been following and retweeting fake accounts.”
Ali had said Meesha filed for Canadian immigration after making the sexual harassment accusation and “may probably tried to become Malala” but failed.
He came under scrutiny for the Malala statement, but Ali Zafar later explained:
“Malala is a true warrior who stands for truth and justice, having made great sacrifices. Meesha cannot become her by lying and running away from justice hiding behind fake profiles on social media.”
Ali has made his own campaign for Shafi to appear before the court. He has tweeted using the hashtag #FaceTheCourtMeeshaShafi.
My statement and media talk outside session court in Lahore https://t.co/7E21xX7ViH #FaceTheCourtMeeshaShafi pic.twitter.com/5YqfV1ILH6
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) April 27, 2019
Ali has filed the case under the Defamation Ordinance 2002 to prove that Meesha’s allegations were false and that they were made for financial gain.
Ali’s case asserts a compensation of Rs. 1 billion (£11 million).
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