A sessions court has announced its verdict in the high-profile defamation case filed by singer Ali Zafar against Meesha Shafi. The decision has sparked a new legal phase as Shafi’s lawyer plans to challenge it in the Lahore High Court.
The Lahore District and Sessions Court dismissed the defamation claim filed by Ali Zafar against Meesha Shafi. Additional Sessions Judge Asif Hayat announced the verdict, bringing a significant development in the long-running case.
The court also imposed compensation of Rs5 million on Meesha Shafi in the case. This financial penalty accompanies the dismissal of the Rs1 billion defamation claim filed by Ali Zafar.
Ali Zafar had filed a defamation suit seeking damages worth Rs1 billion after Meesha Shafi accused him of sexual harassment. The case attracted widespread attention due to the serious nature of the allegations and the high-profile individuals involved.
Extensive hearings
The legal proceedings spanned a lengthy period, with a total of 284 hearings conducted. During the trial, statements from 20 witnesses were recorded to examine the claims and evidence presented by both sides.
The case also saw multiple judicial changes, with nine judges transferred during the course of the proceedings.
Lawyer announces challenge in high court
Following the verdict, Meesha Shafi’s lawyer, Advocate Saqib Jilani, announced plans to challenge the decision in the Lahore High Court. He stated that a certified copy of the judgement will first be obtained and reviewed in detail.
Advocate Jilani said that after reviewing the court’s decision, a formal appeal will be filed against the sessions court verdict. He confirmed that the case will be taken to the Lahore High Court for further legal proceedings.
With the court verdict announced and an appeal planned, the case is expected to enter a new phase in the higher judiciary. The development keeps the long-standing legal dispute between the two artists in the spotlight.
The court had on Monday concluded the hearing of the case. The judge had stated that the entire case record requires detailed examination before a verdict can be announced. He added that the decision could be delivered on Tuesday if completed within court hours; otherwise, a new date would be set.
Last week, both parties concluded their arguments. Representing Ali Zafar, Advocate Umar Tariq Gill argued that Meesha Shafi’s allegations were false and had seriously damaged his reputation. He maintained that no one else had ever made such accusations against Ali Zafar and requested the court to approve the defamation claim and award Rs1 billion in damages.
On the other hand, Meesha Shafi’s counsel, Advocate Saqib Jilani, urged the court to dismiss the case with costs. He argued that the plaintiff failed to provide concrete evidence to support the defamation claim.
He further stated that Meesha Shafi had consistently reported multiple incidents of alleged harassment and maintained her stance throughout extensive cross-examination. The lawyer emphasized that she should not be penalized for speaking about her own experiences through a defamation case.
In the suit filed in 2018, Ali Zafar claimed that the allegations had harmed his public image and caused distress to his family. He requested the court to rule in his favor and direct Meesha Shafi to pay Rs1 billion as compensation.
