Lahore court orders Meesha Shafi to pay Rs5m in defamation case

LAHORE: A sessions court in Lahore on Tuesday ruled in favour of singer Ali Zafar in a defamation case against Meesha Shafi, ordering her to pay Rs5 million in damages.

Additional Sessions Judge Asif Hayat announced the reserved verdict, concluding the high-profile case that began in 2018.

Zafar had filed the defamation suit seeking Rs1 billion in damages after Shafi accused him of sexual harassment — allegations he consistently denied. The case was filed under the Defamation Ordinance 2002.

In its short verdict, the court declared Shafi’s April 19, 2018 tweet and her April 21 interview as “false, defamatory and injurious imputations” against Zafar, stating that the allegations of sexual harassment were not proven to be true or made in the public interest.

The court held that the plaintiff was entitled to compensation for damage to reputation, dignity and mental anguish. However, it ruled that claims of special damages were not substantiated with sufficient evidence, awarding Rs5 million as general damages.

The court also permanently restrained Shafi from repeating or publishing the allegations in any form of media, including print, electronic or social platforms.

Both parties have been directed to appear before the court on May 4 for payment of the compensation amount.

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During the trial, statements of 20 witnesses were recorded over 284 hearings, with nine judges presiding over the case at different stages.

Following the verdict, Zafar’s counsel said further clarity would emerge after the detailed judgment is issued, while Shafi’s lawyer indicated that the decision would be challenged in the Lahore High Court.

The ruling follows an earlier directive by the Lahore High Court to conclude the case within 30 days. In January, Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad upheld a trial court order restraining Shafi from making statements against Zafar across media platforms.