The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the trial court to decide singer Ali Zafar’s defamation case against artist Meesha Shafi within 30 days. The order came after Shafi challenged a 2019 trial court ruling that restrained her from making statements against Zafar on social and other media platforms.
Court Upholds Previous Ruling
Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad concluded that the case was well-grounded and legally defensible. He noted that the LHC found no grounds to intervene.
According to the judgment, discretionary orders, including interim injunctions, can only be overturned if they are arbitrary, unjust, or legally unsound. The court upheld the trial court’s jurisdiction over interim proceedings and directed it to finalize the case within one month.
Background of the Defamation Suit
Ali Zafar filed the defamation suit in 2018 under the Defamation Ordinance 2002, claiming Rs1 billion in damages. The lawsuit followed public allegations by Meesha Shafi, who accused Zafar of sexual harassment. In April 2018, Shafi posted on Twitter, now X, that Zafar had harassed her “on more than one occasion.”
Zafar argued that these allegations damaged his reputation and harmed his personal and professional life. He sought legal compensation for the emotional and reputational impact of Shafi’s statements.
The trial court’s 2019 order restrained Shafi from making statements against Zafar in media, social platforms, or online outlets. Shafi later challenged the order in the LHC, seeking relief from these restrictions.
Next Steps in the Case
Following the LHC directive, the trial court must conclude the defamation case within 30 days. Legal experts say this could bring the long-running dispute closer to resolution. Both parties are preparing evidence and arguments to support their claims.
The case has captured the spotlight since 2018. Its high-profile status and involvement in sexual harassment and defamation discussions have made it one of the most widely debated matters in Pakistan’s entertainment industry.
