Court Suspends Rs5 Million Payment Order Pending Appeal
The Lahore High Court has suspended a key ruling in the defamation case involving Meesha Shafi and Ali Zafar. The decision came after Shafi challenged a sessions court verdict that ordered her to pay Rs5 million in damages.
The earlier ruling was issued by a sessions court in Lahore in March. It directed Shafi to compensate Zafar following a defamation suit linked to sexual harassment allegations. Zafar had filed the case after strongly denying the accusations made against him.
Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad heard the appeal filed by Shafi. The court reviewed arguments from both sides before issuing interim relief.
The bench decided to suspend the immediate payment of damages. However, it did not completely overturn the earlier judgment. Instead, it imposed conditions on the appellant while the case remains under review.
Conditional Relief Granted With Financial Deposit Requirement
The court directed Shafi to deposit half of the damages amount in cash. The remaining half must be secured through a surety bond. This ensures financial compliance while the appeal process continues.
The suspended amount will not be transferred to Zafar at this stage. This provides temporary relief to Shafi but keeps the financial obligation active.
The court also issued a notice to Zafar. He has been asked to submit his response to the appeal. Further proceedings will continue after replies are received.
During the hearing, Shafi’s legal team requested a complete suspension of the trial court’s verdict. The court rejected this request. It refused to grant a blanket stay on the earlier decision.
This indicates that the high court is taking a cautious and balanced approach. It aims to maintain legal continuity while reviewing the case.
Court Upholds Restriction on Repeating Allegations
One important part of the sessions court ruling remains in place. The high court refused to suspend the restriction preventing Shafi from repeating the allegations.
The bench stated that this aspect cannot be set aside at this stage. It emphasised the seriousness of such claims and the need for legal boundaries.
The court observed that individuals cannot freely repeat allegations of sexual harassment without legal scrutiny. This reflects the sensitivity of the issue and its legal implications.
The case dates back to 2018. Zafar filed a defamation suit seeking Rs1 billion in damages. The move came after Shafi publicly accused him on social media.
In April 2018, Shafi shared allegations on X, formerly known as Twitter. She claimed that Zafar had subjected her to physical harassment on multiple occasions. Zafar has consistently denied all accusations.
The legal battle has since remained in the public spotlight. It continues to raise questions about defamation laws and accountability in high-profile disputes.
The latest development adds another layer to the ongoing case. The final outcome will depend on further hearings and legal arguments presented before the court.
