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Frieha Altaf, who has had a long association with the Lux Style Awards as the director of its annual shows, has spoken up after criticism over its nomination of an alleged sexual harasser.

Also read: The Lux Style Awards film jury defends its nomination amid a wave of rejections and criticism

The LSA show last year included a nod to the global #MeToo movement in a segment dubbed #MeinBhi and several people have said it is hypocritical of the LSA to nominate an artist accused of sexual harassment the next year.

Frieha addressed the controversy, saying: "The #MeinBhi movement is not a one-off. The struggle to ensure a safer workplace will be a lifetime effort. My #LSA turf is the LSA show and the stage — not the nominations that are done by independent juries. No one has a say in what the jury decides.

"But I can state very clearly that if I do #LSA2019 it will reflect all the values I uphold. I had every intention of including the song #Mein in the showflow and was in discussion with @MeeshaShafi before she was EVEN nominated and then stepped out. Even today the entire show flow will reflect and uphold all #meinbhi values.

"In my opinion, if anybody should step down it's the alleged sexual harasser, not those who are innocent and oppose him. The LSA platform and event is very close to my heart and I will continue to fight, on my turf, for women's rights and empowerment."

Over the last month, as many as seven LSA nominees have withdrawn from the award show in protest of the inclusion of an alleged harasser in the nominations.