PHOTO: FILE
On Saturday morning, Ali Zafar addressed the media outside Lahore High Court premises, explaining why he hasn't spoken publicly about the ongoing defamation case that he has filed on Meesha Shafi.
He said that Shafi accused him of sexual harassment for personal gains and if that is not the case than she should appear in court and her legal team should delay the proceedings any further. He also answered the speculative questions about Meesha accusing him to get immigration by terming that a possibility but also admitting that he can't speak for her intentions.
Shafi, on the other hand, has not made a public statement due to court's restrictions, but her legal team has finally addressed the matter and gave out a public statement, on her behalf.
Nighat Dad, a member of Meesha's legal team, shared an official statement regarding the dismissal of harassment case.
"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," the statement read.
Read the full statement here:
Statement on behalf of Meesha Shafi’s legal team #MeToo #Facts pic.twitter.com/jesJOpB15n
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) April 29, 2019
Regarding the Canadian immigration issue, the statement said that Meesha has held the Canadian citizenship card since 2016 ans splits her time between Canada and Pakistan.
Furthermore, the team also responded to Zafar's comparison of Malala and Meesha and termed his sentiments 'shameful.'
The statement further said that 'attacks' against Meesha Shafi and other survivors are being perpetrated to silence the issue of sexual harassment. And only for this reason, Meesha is more than committed to follow the due legal process and seek justice.
The legal team even suggested a public apology as an option now that Ali Zafar has started ' to face consequences of his actions.'
Later on Sunday, Zafar broke down in tears while talking about allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by Meesha Shafi live on national television. He asked his accuser to end the ‘fiasco’.
Zafar, who sat down for an interview with a private news channel, said, “If she [Meesha] takes a step forward I’ll take ten steps forward.”
In April 2018, Shafi claimed she was sexually harassed by Zafar on multiple occasions. Zafar denied the allegations and filed a defamation suit against Shafi.
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