By Our Correspondent
LAHORE – A sessions court in Lahore has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Ali Zafar against Meesha Shafi, marking a significant turning point in the long-running, high-profile case. The court also imposed a fine of Rs5 million on Meesha Shafi.
Read also: Naseem Vicky, Qaisar Piya attend launch of Taj Hair Oil by Hakeem Musa
The verdict was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Asif Hayat, who formally rejected Zafar’s claim, bringing years of legal proceedings to a close.
Ali Zafar had originally filed the suit seeking Rs1 billion in damages, following Meesha Shafi’s public allegations accusing him of sexual harassment.
In addition to dismissing the claim, the court ordered Meesha Shafi to pay a Rs5 million fine, adding a financial consequence to the case.
The legal battle spanned several years, involving 284 hearings and testimonies from 20 witnesses. The proceedings were also marked by delays, including the transfer of nine judges, which contributed to the prolonged timeline.
The case began when Meesha Shafi publicly accused Ali Zafar of harassment. In response, Zafar filed the defamation suit, asserting that the allegations damaged his reputation and caused distress to his family.
Earlier this week, the court had reserved its verdict after concluding hearings, noting that the case required careful review of the complete record before a decision could be announced.
During final arguments, Zafar’s lawyer, Advocate Umar Tariq Gill, maintained that the allegations were false and had severely harmed his client’s reputation. He argued that no similar accusations had ever been made against Zafar and urged the court to award the claimed damages.
Meanwhile, Meesha Shafi’s counsel, Advocate Saqib Jilani, requested the court to dismiss the case, arguing that the plaintiff failed to present solid evidence. He also emphasized that Shafi consistently stood by her statements throughout the trial and should not face legal consequences for sharing her experiences.
