Actor-Singer Ali Zafar, currently facing sexual harassment allegations from fellow musician Meesha Shafi, has filed a defamation suit against her in a district court in Lahore on Saturday. Meesha accused him of sexual harassment two months ago on social media. Filed under the Defamation Ordinance 2002, the lawsuit claims damages of PKR 1 billion.
The notice said that she had damaged his reputation through false allegations. In the notice, Zafar stated that Ms Shafi had caused "tremendous injury" to his "reputation, goodwill, livelihood" through "false, slanderous and defamatory" allegations.
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It reads: “Be that as it may, that due to the defamatory campaign being spearheaded by the defendant, the plaintiff besides special damages in case of defamation further suffered the following damages: Mental torture 2 crores, loss of contacts 8 crores, loss of reputation/ goodwill 50 crores, loss of business opportunities 40 crores.”
Earlier Meesha Shafi had received a legal notice sent by Zafar’s counsel. It asked her to issue an apology on Twitter and delete her tweet alleging harassment, failing which he would file a PKR 1 billion-defamation case against her.
Ali has “categorically denied all claims of harassment” made by fellow musician Meesha Shafi.
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It was in the month of April this year, when Shafi posted on Twitter, publicly accusing the renowned pop singer. In the social media post, she alleged that he had harassed her on multiple occasions.
She shared a long Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo pic.twitter.com/iwex7e1NLZ
Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo pic.twitter.com/iwex7e1NLZ
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) April 19, 2018
The note she shared read, “Ali is someone I have known for many years and someone who I have shared the stage with. I feel betrayed by his behaviour and his attitude and I know that I am not alone.”
Ali had denied all the allegations claimed by Shafi. He said that he would take the matter through the courts of law.
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