The ongoing conflict between Ali Zafar and Meesha Shafi has taken a fiery turn overnight. Zafar has been active in the media in full swing, to the point where he broke down in tears on live television while talking about all that he has faced at the hands of Shafi’s allegations.
Due to Zafar’s gag order, Shafi has been legally bound not to utter a word in her defence or against the singer-actor in question. However, her legal team just shared a lengthy official statement, addressing the grounds for dismissal of the case, and a call to action.
Statement on behalf of Meesha Shafi’s legal team #MeToo #Facts pic.twitter.com/jesJOpB15n
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) April 29, 2019
“Meesha Shafi filed a case at the workplace against Ali Zafar before the relevant ombudsperson for sexual harassment at Lahore. The ombudsperson did not hear the case on merits and dismissed it on technical grounds stating that Meesha was not an employee,” it stated.
Further adding how the order is currently challenged before the Lahore High Court, the statement stressed upon the fact that Zafar has not been exonerated by the court as yet.
“Ali Zafar, in an attempt to silence Meesha Shafi filed a defamation suit against her. However, the best defence to defamation is truth and as Meesha Shafi has never spoken a false word against Ali Zafar, she cannot be held guilty for any defamation by any court,” it added.
The statement also responded to the queries of Zafar and the general public who repeatedly questioned why Shafi wasn’t showing up in court. “When she is summoned by the court, she will attend the hearings, and has no obligation to attend proceedings unless she has been so summoned,” it said, adding how the singer splits her time between Canada and Pakistan since 2016.
READ: “Face the court, Meesha Shafi,” asks Ali Zafar
Moreover, the team also responded to Zafar’s comparison of Malala and Meesha and deemed his sentiments as shameful. They also added how Zafar’s recent attempts at clearing his name are all being perpetrated to silence victims of sexual harassment, and that Shafi is determined to seek justice, now more than ever.
On an ending note, the statement demanded a public apology from Zafar.
“Ali Zafar is finally starting to face some consequences of his actions. He can take responsibility for what he has done and make a public apology to Meesha and the other women and seek their forgiveness,” it said.
