No one has the right to defame my character: Mehwish Hayat files petition against 'smear campaign'

After Kubra Khan, Mehwish Hayat approached Sindh High Court to take legal action against anyone who has been circulating defamatory content against her on social media. After the actor's petition, SHC has given Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) two weeks to have the content removed. 

Hayat later took to social media and shared why she chose to go to SHC and decided to take legal action on the matter. For the unversed, an ex-Army major had claimed in a YouTube video that several 'actresses and models often stayed at ISI safe houses and were 'used' by former senior officials, according to the officials' closed aids.' Adil Raja further alleged that several politicians were also invited and several videos were purportedly recorded as well.

Since then a smear campaign against several actors ensued. Hayat on Twitter, shared, "Today, I went to court to send a strong message that I will not stand for these vile smear campaigns anymore." She went on to add, "This has been going on for some time - but the events of the last few days have hit a new low. Criticise my work all you like but no one has the right to defame my character. I am not the one to sit and let anyone use me as a pawn in their dirty political games."

The award-winning star further shared, "I am not going to rest until this is resolved. I am happy that the petition has been filed and the people behind this including all the trollers who are spreading malicious lies will be held accountable by the authorities."

Hayat added that it's a shame that she's "had to go to court to protect my dignity and reputation." She penned, "Is this what we've become?" Concluding her statement, Hayat expressed gratitude. "I would like to thank all those from the industry, family, friends and above all fans who have sent me messages of support. They have provided me with strength in what has been a trying time."

Speaking to the press outside the court, the Dillagi star said, "I didn't think my new year would begin with a visit to the court where I would have to defend myself from the ongoing character assassination." She continued, "But here I am since my patience has given up. Anyone who runs these campaigns puts any kind of insinuations,  should be ashamed of themselves. And anyone who pays heed to these kinds of gossip, especially in today's day and age when it's rather simple to fabricate things, should be ashamed of themselves as well."

Hayat then commented that she is standing tall with the women of her country. "I am here for the women of my fraternity, of my country. I want to say loud and clear that no one has the right to malign anyone's character and I am here to exercise my legal right and get the record straight. I hope justice is swiftly served."

Previously, Hayat took to Twitter and shared her two cents. "People forget humanity for their shallow popularity. Hope you’re enjoying your two minutes of fame," the Punjab Nahi Jaungi star wrote. "Just because I am an actress, doesn’t mean my name can be dragged through the mud."

She went on to add, "Shame on you for spreading baseless allegations and insinuations about someone you know nothing about and even bigger shame on people who believe this bullshit. This just shows the sickness of our society that laps up this gutter journalism without any thought. But this stops and it stops now! I won’t allow anyone to defame my name."

Backstory

Last week, SHC had ordered Federal Investigating Agency to remove the offensive content on social media that has 'aggrieved' actor Khan. Taking to social media, the actor, 29, shared an official document, where SHC has directed bodies to immediately delete any/or offensive material against the actor.

"The past four days have been so difficult for me and my family that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to explain it in words," the star shared alongside her post. "I couldn’t wrap my head around why anyone would do this to me. Even after it was clarified that my name or initials were misinterpreted why was I still getting bullied so ferociously."

She added, "Even before I reacted, why were my pictures being used in such an inappropriate manner and then I realised because no one’s ever put a stop to it. Because we’re so used to being quiet. Until this story dies, another arises to do the same damage just because we didn’t speak up. But enough is enough."

Khan went on to comment that she is exercising her "constitutional rights as a Pakistani and relying on our law to protect my dignity and this is me saying what I want to say for all the hard-working independent women out there who are insulted daily."

Khan penned, "I’m not gonna stand here and say I stood up for every woman out there but I will say that I stood up so that from now on if a situation like this arises, every woman and man out there knows that standing up for yourself is your right! So now, I leave it in your hands, Our law implementors and God’s hands. I rest my case."

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