This year, though, was remarkably different. With sexual harassment allegations hanging over, the 18th LSAs would always be marked in history as the ones after Pakistan's own #MeToo movement.
On Monday, post the star-studded event, Meesha Shafi who accused Ali Zafar of sexual harassment, took to Twitter to show solidarity to all those of opted out of the nominations and took a stand with the musician-turned-actor.
She tweeted saying, "Post
Post #LSA2019 I would like to express my respect and admiration for all those nominees who took a stand by foregoing their nominations/recognition for their hard work and achievements in protest and solidarity with myself and other victims.
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) July 8, 2019
The Aaya Laariye singer started a thread announcing awards to them.
Best Emerging Talent - Eman Suleman
@eman_anjum
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) July 8, 2019
Best Emerging Talent pic.twitter.com/XAoHcJInUq
Best Model - Rubab Ali
#RubabAli
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) July 8, 2019
Best Model pic.twitter.com/kznDsy6KIE
Best Hair and Makeup: Saima Bargfrede
#SaimaBargfrede
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) July 8, 2019
Best Hair&MakeUp pic.twitter.com/GynUN9Y5Hc
Best Song
Best OST
Singer of the Year
Best Playback Singer - The Sketches
The Sketches - 4 nominations!!!
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) July 8, 2019
Best Song
Best OST
Singer of the Year
Best Playback Singer pic.twitter.com/LaDMyZydMh
Best Pret Label - Generation
@GENERATIONPK
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) July 8, 2019
Best Pret Label pic.twitter.com/OUcOe66e1r
Best Song - Talal Qureshi and Faris Shafi
@talalqureshi X @officialfaris
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) July 8, 2019
Best Song pic.twitter.com/XQo3pXIsxm
The singer shunned all 'conspiracy theories' saying everyone who stepped down from the nominations did so out of their own choice.
She tweeted, "Everyone who spoke up did so of their own free will. These attacks and conspiracy theories, albeit very creative, are baseless and going after all the women standing up for women is an entirely predictable age old silencing tactic. Nothing new!"
Everyone who spoke up did so of their own free will. These attacks and conspiracy theories, albeit very creative, are baseless and going after all the women standing up for women is an entirely predictable age old silencing tactic. Nothing new!
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) July 8, 2019
Shafi posted in another tweet saying, "Woman - he harassed me repeatedly. Made me feel violated, humiliated and unsafe. Other women - Me too! Me too! Me too! Me too! Me too! Me too! Defender: foreign funding, foreign agenda. LOL! Get a life!"
Woman - he harassed me repeatedly. Made me feel violated, humiliated and unsafe.
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) July 8, 2019
Other women - Me too! Me too! Me too! Me too! Me too! Me too!
Defender: foreign funding, foreign agenda. LOL! 😂
Get a life!
She even called out all conspiracy theorists saying, "WOW! Conspiracy theories are so creative, if only the same creativity was being channeled in an artist’s work, one wouldn’t have to claim damages over losing work. Pffffft."
WOW! Conspiracy theories are so creative, if only the same creativity was being channeled in an artist’s work, one wouldn’t have to claim damages over losing work. Pffffft.
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) July 8, 2019
The LSAs were nothing groundbreaking other than the fact that there was a deliberate effort to call for change, especially by the women of the industry.
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