SC approves Meesha's appeal against LHC verdict for initial hearing

Dunya News

The court has issued notices to singer, model and actor Ali Zafar and Punjab Advocate General.

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Supreme Court (SC) on Monday has approved the appeal of Pakistani singer and actress Meesha Shafi against the decision of Lahore High Court (LHC) for initial hearing.

According to details, the court has issued notices to singer, model and actor Ali Zafar and Punjab Advocate General, remarking that suo moto notice over the definition of harassment is also under hearing.

Moreover, the proceedings on the case have been adjourned for indefinite time period.

Earlier, Lahore High Court had dismissed an appeal by the singer Meesha Shafi against musician Ali Zafar over harassment charges.

Taking to Twitter, Ali Zafar expressed, “Ms Shafi’s case dismissed by the Lahore High Court. This is the 3rd dismissal. Fake allegations by opportunists can destroy lives & undermine genuine victims. We fought to set a precedent. All evidence submitted will be public soon. Thank you for your love and support.”

Later, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had found singer Meesha Shafi and eight others guilty of running a smear campaign against singer and actor Ali Zafar on social media.

The agency’s cybercrime Lahore wing had completed the investigation of the case and prepared a challan, stating, “During the course of inquiry so far Meesha Shafi, Iffat Omar, Maham Javaid, Leena Ghani, Haseemus Zaman, Fariha Ayub, Syed Faizan Raza, Humna Raza and Ali Gul Pir have been found guilty as per available oral and documentary evidences.”

FIA stated that Meesha had posted false allegations of sexual harassment against Ali Zafar on April 19, 2018 as she failed to justify them or produce any witness.

It is to be mentioned here that Ali Zafar had filed a defamation suit worth Rs1 billion against singer Meesha Shafi over hurling harassment allegations.

Zafar’s legal counsel Tariq Rahim lodged a petition in Lahore’s session court terming Meesha’s accusations as reckless and baseless.

Pakistani singer Meesha Shafi had also filed a Rs2 billion defamation suit against him in Lahore sessions court for making false allegations against her.

The suit included Rs1bn for hurting singer’s reputation while Rs1bn has been demanded for "mental torture and agony". She also requested the court to declare Ali Zafar’s statements as false and defamatory.

"It is prayed that the defendant (Zafar) be permanently restrained from making any further defamatory statement against the plaintiff (Shafi)," the suit stated.