Singer Meesha Shafi has challenged a sessions court’s decision awarding Rs5 million in damages to singer Ali Zafar in a defamation case linked to sexual harassment allegations.
The appeal was filed in the Lahore High Court by Advocate Saqib Jilani on behalf of Meesha Shafi.
Singer Ali Zafar had filed a defamation claim against Meesha Shafi after she accused him of sexual harassment. The matter has remained part of a long-running legal battle between the two artists.
The sessions court had earlier ruled in Ali Zafar’s favour and ordered Meesha Shafi to pay Rs5 million in damages.
In her appeal, Meesha has challenged the sessions court’s decision and asked the Lahore High Court to set it aside. The appeal states that the trial court wrote in its decision that Meesha Shafi could not prove the allegations against Ali Zafar.
However, the appeal argues that if Meesha Shafi was required to prove the allegations, then Ali Zafar should also have been required to prove that he did not harass her.
Appeal says facts not properly assessed
Meesha's appeal contends that the sessions court did not properly assess the facts of the case. It argues that the trial court’s decision to award Rs5 million in damages was not based on a proper evaluation of the record.
The plea has requested the Lahore High Court to declare the trial court’s damages order null and void.
The appeal also points out that Meesha Shafi had approached the provincial ombudsman over her sexual harassment allegations. According to the appeal, Meesha Shafi’s challenge against the provincial ombudsman’s decision is still pending before the Supreme Court.
The plea argues that the defamation lawsuit could not proceed until the Supreme Court gives a final decision in the related matter.
Meesha has requested the Lahore High Court to overturn the sessions court’s ruling. The appeal seeks cancellation of the Rs5 million compensation order issued against her.
