Meesha Shafi's harassment claim has been rejected by the Punjab Governor. What does this mean?

The case has been dismissed on technical grounds.

Updated 01 Aug, 2018

Singer Meesha Shafi's sexual harassment complaint against Ali Zafar has as of today been rejected by the provincial ombudsman, and the Punjab Governor in a later appeal.

Images spoke to Shafi's lawyer Ahmed Pansota; he confirmed that the claim made by Meesha to the ombudsperson in Punjab has in fact been rejected on both fronts on 'technical grounds'.

According to Pansota, Shafi's legal team had filed a sexual harassment complaint before the provincial ombudsperson, who can hear cases as per provisions laid out in the Protection Against Harassment of Women in the Workplace Act 2010.

Also read: What is sexual harassment and how do victims get justice in Pakistan?

"The complaint we filed with the ombudsman was rejected on a technical ground," says Pansota. "According to the ombudsman, Meesha and Zafar did not have an employer-employee relationship, so the case could not be heard [in that forum.]"

"We challenged an appeal before the Punjab governor, because the governor is the competent authority to review any decision that is made by the ombudsman. Now the governor has also turned down our request, and our appeal, and has maintained the order that was passed by the ombudsman," says Pansota.

Shafi's lawyer says they will now take the case to the high court to challenge the decision.

Comments

Nisar Aug 01, 2018 05:18pm

When men are asked to judge women .. especially on sexual harassment issues, is it an amazing thing to believe that women will get justice. Technical issues? If the governors daughter was the victim, let me see how the Governor would have reacted!! This case should have stopped cold in its tracks if Ali Zafar was a man and publicly said I am sorry if you feel I have wronged you in any way. I am not that sort of person, do not have any recollection of any wrongdoing however I salute you for standing up for what you think happened, especially in our male dominated society and I apologise all the same.

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Faisal R. Aug 01, 2018 07:24pm

This is ridiculous! The validity of women harrasment complaint should not be dependent on what relationship is between the two parties. Abuse cases should be heard whether the female is a close family member, known or unknown person to the abuser.

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Maverick Aug 01, 2018 10:53pm

before commenting please read the whole news

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MA Aug 03, 2018 07:47pm

It is very complicated . The problem is created by the society they live in where everything is right when they do it on consensus, but not right if relations goes sore after years. The society they live in they have to accept it or be changed

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Sana Hasan Aug 08, 2018 10:20am

Well I simply dont understand why people want to choose to ignore the law and its requirements when it comes to this case of Meesha Shafi. With all due respect, anything and everything can be said on all kinds of Media be it Digital, Social, or Mainstream. However, when it comes to formal proceedings of the court, the law shall take its course, and no fact shall get ignored, no requirement should be left unjustified. If a case has been built on weak grounds, how will it even sustain a couple of hearings? They cant hear the case because a woman just speak up against her. This is alone not a reason enough. It needs to be backed up in the court of law. If you think OBJECTIVELY.

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