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Meesha Shafi has targeted me for personal gains, says Ali Zafar

Meesha Shafi has targeted me for personal gains, says Ali Zafar

Zafar says Shafi's case against him was dismissed; Shafi's lawyer says appeal is still pending before the High Court.
Updated 27 Apr, 2019

On Saturday musician Ali Zafar addressed the media outside a courtroom in Lahore, speaking about his present legal battle with fellow artist Meesha Shafi.

Meesha Shafi accused Ali Zafar of sexual harassment in April 2018. Zafar denied the accusations. More women came forward on social media to accuse Zafar of misconduct, following which the two artists have been embroiled in legal proceedings.

"To tolerate cruelty is a bigger sin than inflicting it," said Zafar. "I wasn’t called to court today yet here I am because I’m telling the truth and a person like that will come to court regardless. And whoever doesn’t show up, you can assume what they are."

"A campaign has been run against me on social media based on lies through fake accounts," he continued.

"We’ve given that case to the FIA to investigate because it falls under cyber crime and bullying. I’m saddened by the fact that her allies and even one of her lawyers is following these fake accounts and endorsing them.

Zafar adds, "I’m stunned, it’s been an eye-opener, how can someone do this to a decent, innocent man who for 20 years has been spreading love through his art? Can just anyone tomorrow wake up and decide to settle personal scores through an accusation on social media? And herself leave for Canada."

"I can’t say anything about her intention, God knows better but the facts in front of us are that this was done with a proper plan with a target on me for personal gains," continued the musician.

"Whether she did this for international recognition, because she wants to be Malala, that I don’t know."

"I’m here today even though I wasn’t called. It’s been over a year, I’ve filed a defamation case," Zafar adds.

"Meesha’s case has been dismissed, in the eyes of the law, I’m already innocent. This is a very important fact, her appeal has also been dismissed. This case is for the all the psychological and financial damage she’s done to me and my family.

"It’s been one year and our witnesses have come to court eight times but they use delaying tactics to prolong this. I want to appeal to our respected courts to give a judgement ASAP so that the world knows my truth and her lies. I’m thankful that the process has started today, her lawyer has started cross-examination. I request Meesha and her witnesses to come to the court and face the court."

Speaking to Images, Meesha Shafi's lawyer has challenged Zafar's claim that Meesha's case has been "dismissed".

Meesha Shafi filed a harassment claim against Zafar with the provincial ombudsperson, which her legal team says was dismissed on technical grounds by the ombudsperson and Punjab Governor.

Shafi's appeal against this dismissal is presently pending before the Lahore High Court, according to her lawyer Ahmed Pansota.

"Stating that the case pertaining to sexual harassment overall has been dismissed would not be correct because at the moment the case is pending before the High Court, says Pansota.

"Once the next hearing's date has been decided, the court will pass a judgement on whether the ombudsperson had the jurisdiction to hear this case or not," he adds.

Online, Zafar's fans greeted his statement with support. However, commentators also took issue with his reference to Malala Yousafzai.

Zafar later tweeted defending his statement.

Comments

Naveed SARWAR Apr 27, 2019 03:42pm
Your words Sounds like Harasser, you shall make apology
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Asma Apr 27, 2019 03:56pm
Sick individual pretending to be innocent
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Newborn Apr 27, 2019 04:04pm
This is a known fact that no body likes her in the industry. She's always known to be an arrogant and manipulative individual.
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Fastrack Apr 27, 2019 04:06pm
Non-issue.
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antsy Apr 27, 2019 04:21pm
Mesha's lawyer (liar) has misled her down a rabbit hole.
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Usman Khan Apr 27, 2019 04:54pm
Yeah. Personal gain indeed. That is because you have vast amounts of wealth and she wants a slice. Or because she is a nobody and wants to gain fame by using your name. We all know how you blocked her brother Farris Shafi's album from gaining traction by pressuring all the media companies. Just out of spite. We all know the rumors from Govt College as well when other girls were told to keep quiet about you by Dr. Khalid Aftab personally. Its this culture of silence that allows you to get away with anything in this country.
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Amjad Durrani Engineer USA Apr 27, 2019 05:03pm
Very sordid affair where each party is trying to prove other wrong but one thing a sure that they both got their share of due notiority, whether right or wrong, what they deserved most. In the end the nation has to bear the frivilious spectacle of mud slinnging, of these self centered so-called show biz artists at each other, for no rhyme or reason. What a waste of time?
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irfan Apr 27, 2019 05:31pm
This is very disappointing to see the way MS is targeting him . Instead of providing evidence in court and avoiding court appearances , she is using social media platform .
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Akram Apr 27, 2019 05:51pm
what an absurd claim. What woman in male dominated pakistan would dare go through the heartache and stress of making a claim in male dominated forums. No one in their right mind would, it is more likely that there is no smoke without fire. Ali Zafar you have no shame.
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Asad Apr 27, 2019 05:56pm
Oh please make someone else a fool
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Zak Apr 27, 2019 06:43pm
Can someone not resolve this out of court and avoid damage to the industry and the two great artist of Pakistan.
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Imran Ahmed Apr 27, 2019 06:47pm
You started legal proceedings to clear your name but it is very difficult to prove a negative so you will not succeed. You may not not perceive yourself as a sexual harasser but too many women you have been in contact with do state that they perceive you as such even though these women cannot or will not provide legal evidence.
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fairplay Apr 27, 2019 07:29pm
@Asma agree. What does she gain? Notriety? Fortune, fame? I don't think she needs this by maligning him.
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salman Apr 27, 2019 07:30pm
@Asma The only sick individual has been is meesha shafi
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fairplay Apr 27, 2019 07:30pm
@Akram agree. He has a far-fetched explanation, which many will not buy.
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fairplay Apr 27, 2019 07:31pm
@Zak he can start by apologizing.
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fairplay Apr 27, 2019 07:34pm
Quantify tangible personal gains by MS, don't hurl insults outside court.
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ExMohajirinUK Apr 27, 2019 07:40pm
He is either stupid, desperate or both. If the matter is in court, how can he actually comment on it?
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Saad Apr 27, 2019 07:58pm
Most sexual harrasement allegations in pakistan are Fake
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Jackal Apr 27, 2019 08:12pm
Glad that Ali Zafar is on the offensive now. Meesha basically disappeared after the allegations more than a year ago. Ali should pursue the defamation suit proactively against her to deter future allegations for cheap fame and slandering.
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Farhan Apr 27, 2019 08:44pm
Was supporting Ali, but his comment about Meesha trying to be Malala just made it clear what kind of person he is! Hope he get's everything bad that's coming his way!
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fairplay Apr 27, 2019 08:56pm
He is doing exactly what he is accusing her of doing, with his publicity stunt outside the courts. Hypocrite.
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Mann Apr 27, 2019 09:03pm
There is no smoke without fire. Something fishy with this chap. It takes a lot of guts for women to come out like this in a male dominated bastion.
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Jibran Apr 27, 2019 09:09pm
What a shameless character. Despite being accused by multiple women, he is not just denying it, but acting like an angel.
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Talha Apr 27, 2019 09:15pm
Ali Zafar is a national asset. However national asset or not, one can not be castigated just because someone else says so. The courts have to decide. Ali Zafar is innocent right now and nobody cna change that. Only courts have the power pop change it but for that Meesha will have to give proofs instead of going to Canada.
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Preface Apr 27, 2019 10:03pm
@Asma That's your personal opinion. The court says he's innocent; that's the reality. Facts know no gender!
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M. Saeed Apr 27, 2019 10:09pm
His insistence on being clean in itself is enough of the proof of his guilt. Otherwise, as decent gentlemen of entertainment industry, he had many genuine reasons of being in such a position that might have given wrong impressions to the other party and should have apologized for any misconception.
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Zara Apr 27, 2019 10:11pm
Mesha Shafi has been ordered by the court to not give statements to the media. Why is Ali Zafar allowed to talk to the media then?
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Azee Apr 27, 2019 10:49pm
Reminded me R Kelly's interview ;)
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Dawn Apr 28, 2019 01:27am
I side with Mr Z. Ali in this issue.
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Laila Apr 28, 2019 03:36am
@irfan Is she though? This is him using social media to talk. Ms Shafi is silent. Mum. So the only person talking is him. Are you going to condemn his public social media trial defense too or only MS?
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Laila Apr 28, 2019 03:39am
@Akram Exactly many people keep comparing Pakistan to the international and Western Metoo movement. Nobody seems to understand how conservative our society is and how our females have always suffered in silence due to social stigma, risk of ostracism, damage to reputation and losing their family and all. It takes courage for any pakistani woman to go public with such issues. She stands to lose everything. Just look how people are treating Shafi. It is not like she is getting money, record deals or other out of this.
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Daskalos Apr 28, 2019 03:39am
@Preface you are very right.
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Dada Ali Apr 28, 2019 03:48am
Why he reminds me of wajih from ongoing drama serial "Cheekh"!
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white noise Apr 28, 2019 06:38am
Typical "male" response & its insulting. I believe the #Metoo victims. Don't forget about karma, it always gets you in the end.
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Booza Apr 28, 2019 06:58am
All talk, no proof therefore no case
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JM Apr 28, 2019 07:10am
Meesha Shafi is coming through increasingly as a woman who cooked up this false tamasha..
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Roby Sattar UK Apr 28, 2019 08:27am
Mr. Ali Zafar, Mesha Shafi looks right you, you looks more trouble, let court decide why you using press, wait and see what law take course, Mesha taken very hard decision.
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Samab Apr 28, 2019 08:40am
Looking at comments seems like everyone have made up their mind that Ali is guilty. This is exactly what happens in our society.
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Dr. Veerta Ali Ujan Apr 28, 2019 10:20am
Stop and look at the statements he's making impartially. His language betrays his misogyny. Guilty.
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Thinking Apr 28, 2019 02:58pm
Wants to be malala? What reference point? There are numerous metoo stories in every country. Which domain will meeto survivors get recognition. Sick man. Or trying to sound intelligent. I think the story is true. It very difficult for a woman to come out with their metoo story, talking to their own family is also a big thing. Coming out in open, needs a lot of courage
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Anas Apr 28, 2019 03:26pm
Who ever is taking sides in this issue should know that this is non of their business. Both parties are contesting in court. Specially those people who know nothing about both of these celebrities and calling them liar or harasser.
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Laila Apr 29, 2019 03:37am
Some might say you targeted Meesha Shafi for your own personal gain....Just saying.
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Faraz Apr 29, 2019 03:55pm
Zafar is no angel, neither is Meesha. Both are playing good cop, bad cop for personal ratings.
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