Meesha Shafi accuses Ali Zafar of sexual harassment, encourages women to break ‘culture of silence’
"If this can happen to someone like me, an established artist, then it can happen to any young woman," says Shafi
The counsel for singer Meesha Shafi on Wednesday asked a sessions court in Lahore to dismiss with cost a defamation suit filed by singer-cum-actor Ali Zafar against the former.
In his final arguments, Advocate Saqib Jilani contended that no concrete evidence had been produced in support of the defamation claim by the plaintiff.
He stated that Meesha had reported multiple incidents of alleged harassment and she remained consistent in her statements, despite an extensive cross-examination by Ali Zafar’s legal team. He further argued that his client had initially attempted to resolve the matter privately before making it public, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
The counsel said Meesha cannot be punished for speaking about her own grievance through a defamation suit filed by the plaintiff.
The other day, Advocate Umar Tariq Gill, on behalf of Ali Zafar, argued that Meesha Shafi had levelled false allegations, causing serious damage to his reputation. He maintained that no one other than Meesha had ever accused Ali of such conduct.
With arguments from both sides completed, Additional District & Sessions Judge Asif Hayat Bajwa adjourned the hearing till Thursday (today).
The judge is likely to reserve the judgment after submission of citations from the defendant’s side.
In his defamation suit, Ali Zafar said the 2018 allegations of sexual harassment by Meesha tarnished his image in public and his family had been facing agony and pain. He asked the court to issue a decree against Meesha and direct her to pay Rs1bn as damages to him.
Originally published in Dawn, March 26th, 2026