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Meesha Shafi calls out "friends" for not supporting her in sexual harassment battle

The singer had a savage response to those who doubted her #MeToo story

31 May, 2018

In wake of the Bahria College Islamabad incident, Meesha Shafi's calling out her friends and colleagues for not supporting her when she came out with her #MeToo story.

The singer, who received a petition to sign against #BahriaCollegePerv, had a savage tweet in response to those who doubted her.

The singer broke the 'culture of silence' in Pakistan by alleging that Ali Zafar sexually harassed her and prompted a wave of sexual harassment reports in the country. The latest one being that of Bahria College Islamabad in which an intermediate student came forward and claimed that she and about 80 of her batchmates were sexually harassed by the examiner of their biology practical last week.

Also read: This student's post about being sexually harassed during an exam is going viral

"Our examiner [...] groped almost 80 students and passed sleazy comments," she wrote in her Facebook post, in which she describes her own experience of being inappropriately touched by the examiner. Several other students have corroborated her story with their own experiences since then.

Immediately supporters of the #MeToo movement sprung into action and social media has since demanded justice for these women.

Comments

Common Sense May 31, 2018 12:38pm

Mere allegations are not enough. We are a country of law. Prove it in court if you want justice!

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Syed Anjum Ali May 31, 2018 12:38pm

I honestly believe that Meesha Shafi's allegations remain unproven in a formal court of Law, based on proper investigations. To make any media comments on this subject at this time is both premature and unethical.

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Mahsood Iqbal May 31, 2018 12:44pm

The reality for Meesha is that not many people believe you. Instead of posting allegations on twitter substantiate your claim in court with proof or witnesses. That's where the real battle should be fought instead of twitter.

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Tez Tezza May 31, 2018 12:51pm

It's disappointing to see silence from readers on such an import issue. Perhaps in our culture we’re reluctant to raise voice on such topics; or that we simply don't care because victim isn't related to us. We should remember it can be anybody. Meesha is a great artist, a very successful and a bold lady. She certainly doesn't need to make up stories to gain fame - she's already at the pinnacle. Someone with such a courage to come forward and to bring the issue in the limelight should be supported - no matter who the culprit is. Meesha has spoken for all those Pakistani women who have experienced harassment first-hand and those who will be the unlucky ones. If someone like Meesha isn't spared, then is anybody safe?

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NKhan May 31, 2018 04:29pm

People are asking Meesha to provide evidence for her allegations that will stand up in a court of law. The problem is that most of the time with sexual harassment or abuse it all comes down to her word against his. Most abusers will not sexually harass someone in front of witnesses. The sexual harassment will be done when the abuser is alone with his victim. This then makes it almost impossible to prove the abuse in a court of law. Therefore we should be sympathetic towards Meesha who has had to overcome many cultural obstacles to make her allegations without necessary condemning Ali Zafar. Remember in Pakistan's show business industry where individuals have huge influence this issue will probably cost her lost earnings as it will affect her career.

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HB May 31, 2018 04:30pm

This woman is great. She risked it all to stand up for her rights. How many of us do that. You Pakistanis should be proud of her.

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Harmony-1© May 31, 2018 04:55pm

@Common Sense - What 'proof' do you expect, a video of the act? There is no DNA type 'hard evidence' either in cases like that. Remember how Larry Nassar got convicted? For a woman, it takes great courage to come forward in cases like that at a great risk to herself for fear of reprisals and unjust criticism, like here. So kudos to Meesha Shafi.

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pakistan deserves better May 31, 2018 05:16pm

Welcome to the real world.

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Dr Asif May 31, 2018 09:06pm

@Tez Tezza completely agree but who will hear you or me More power to you Meesha Shafi

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Ali May 31, 2018 10:17pm

Meesha should not have taken this to twitter. Now the pressure is on. Plus she put everyones career at steak. Question is - If this was not Ali Zafar and some average joe, would she still post it on twitter?

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Ibraheem Saleem May 31, 2018 11:08pm

I do believe her and appreciate that she decided make her ordeal publicly known, however, this tweet is a little uncalled for, because it looks like she is trying to make this particular incident about herself.

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Lata Jun 01, 2018 02:41am

Meesha deserves a lot of credit for speaking out. It takes a lot of courage especially in a country like Pakistan.

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NPower Jun 01, 2018 07:55am

@Tez Tezza so without proof you should punish Ali Zafar who is also a bold artist and very famous personality. It should be investigated properly and then should be punished accordingly. By your statement anyone can put a blame on anyone and then they should be arrested without knowing what actually happened.

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Inamullah Naveed Jun 01, 2018 02:47pm

@Ibraheem Saleem you really believe her without any evidence that she is right.

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