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Ali Zafar addresses Meesha Shafi's sexual harassment claims in BBC interview

Ali Zafar addresses Meesha Shafi's sexual harassment claims in BBC interview

In an interview with the BBC, Ali Zafar says he's "more hurt because I've been working towards women's empowerment"
18 Jul, 2018

Ali Zafar has gone public for the first time since his fellow singer Meesha Shafi accused him of sexual harassment.

In an interview with BBC Asian Network, the Channo singer spoke with Haroon Rahid about the allegations levied against him

"People will find out in time. With time everything comes out and the truth unveils itself. I, since day one, said that I will not fight this over social media as I will take the professional course and I have sought professional remedies and the due course of law shall give justice in time."

Also read: Meesha Shafi accuses Ali Zafar of sexual harassment

When asked if he could've intentionally or unintentionally harmed or affected Meesha, his reply was a firm "No. Never could that have happened because if it did she was a very close family friend, she used to come to our house, she was my wife's friend.

He continued, "We had a concert together, and the jam that she's talking about, that has a video and there were 10 witnesses and two witnesses out of that jam were women. They came out in the open and said that 'we were there how could she event think and say this?'

That is why I was more hurt, because I've been working towards women's empowerment."

Also read: More women step forward to accuse Ali Zafar of sexual harassment

Ali Zafar tried to divert the conversation, but Haroon brought him back on track and asked him what Meesha has to gain if her allegations are proven untrue.

Although he refused to comment on it, he didn't seem worried by the fact that the some are planning on boycotting Teefa In Trouble. "I don't worry because when you know things and when you are on the right side and know the truth you don't worry because falsehood by its nature is bound to perish," he responded.

In April, Meesha accused Ali of sexually harassing her on more than one occasion. She wrote, “I have been subjected, on more than one occasion, to sexual harassment of a physical nature at the hands of a colleague from my industry: Ali Zafar [...] It has been an extremely traumatic experience for me and my family [...] I feel betrayed by his behaviour and attitude and I know that I'm not alone.”

Also read: Meesha Shafi’s lawyers respond to Ali Zafar’s legal notice, ask him to issue an apology

Ali denied the allegations in a statement on the same day, "I categorically deny any and all claims of harassment lodged against me by Ms Shafi." Later, he sent Meesha a legal notice in which he demanded that Meesha delete the tweet that contained her allegations against him and issued an apology on Twitter, failing which he will file a Rs100 crore defamation suit against her.

Zafar has filed a defamation case worth Rs1 billion against Shafi in a sessions court in Lahore last month. Meesha too has taken legal action against him by filing a sexual harassment case which is still pending before the relevant authorities.

Comments

Inam ali essex Jul 18, 2018 07:43pm
lets see what the courts decide, i don't trust anyone in this industry sorry.
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M. Saeed Jul 18, 2018 08:05pm
No woman even of a below the normal sense of self esteem would ever go out in public and put such blames involving herself.
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Truthseeker Jul 18, 2018 08:28pm
Why people don’t support women when they are victim?
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UJ Jul 18, 2018 08:48pm
I still don't understand why Meesha did not show up in the courts to plead her case and prove Ali guilty of harassment.
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Anis Jul 18, 2018 10:13pm
Shame on him, he is now trying to make things up .... in this unjust society, he will be portrayed as sufferer rather to be investigated properly.
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hohn Jul 19, 2018 04:39am
He is guilty, I can see it on his face
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Imran Khan Jul 19, 2018 05:36am
Ali Should have opne debate with Meesh and let the court decide..
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Adil Jadoon Jul 19, 2018 08:03am
Why was he conspiring against her brother??? we have all seen the emails.........Bet he can not explain those ???
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Riz Jul 19, 2018 08:32am
Falsehood by its nature is bound to perish. Well said.
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ak Jul 19, 2018 10:38am
@hohn O yeah, you are sherlock holmes right, hohn is just a crappy alias. Has to be.
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Sameer Jul 19, 2018 10:42am
Court probably wont find the proof but we all know the guy (AZ) is not that simple and innocent. He is not what he is pretending he is...
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Salman Jul 19, 2018 11:01am
1) Not everything can be proved in court due to lack of proof, as such acts aren't performed in front of eyewitnesses and its the same all over the world. 2) On the other hand due to omnipresent crime against women, sometimes few men also get victimized by prejudice. 3) In showbiz, so much happens as a norm, without any consent, perceiving to be a norm and not disallowed as a norm. So when things get odd later between the two old friends or acquaintances, Ethics come into play and they blame each other for the wrong doing. Until and unless work norms in showbiz are not strictly followed and zero tolerance is not achieved, situation won't get better.
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Nasir Askar Jul 19, 2018 04:50pm
To be honest, none of the readers who commented here know who is telling the truth. We are all just guessing. Probably, even the courts would be helpless in the matter as there appears to be no concrete evidence. Since the matter is in the court, BBC should not have brought this topic into discussion. For sake of fairness, BBC should also interview Meesha Shafi for her point of view.
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chupacabra Jul 20, 2018 05:18am
Other women also came out on social media and told their stories regarding Ali Zafar. That is how Harvey Weinstein was caught. People should know better and boycott his movie. Disgusting man!
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bilal-atlanta Jul 20, 2018 11:12am
don't judge anybody. let the courts hear it all out and decide. truth will come out surely. both are good performers but BAD things DO happen!! no denying any of it. No angels walking around..
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Nisar Jul 21, 2018 09:37pm
When men are no longer men! When money talks and they hide behind fame and fortune. Ali Zafar, if you were a man and a woman accused you .. the first thing to do would be to say, I am sorry .. I am unaware of what you are saying but if I have hurt you in anyway whatsoever, I apologise. Letting loose your lawyers on her is not what a man would do!!
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