Apologise or face criminal proceedings: Maha Ali Kazmi serves legal notice to Ali Noor

Singer threatens to file counter suit claiming Rs100m in damages

Singer Maha Ali Kazmi’s lawyer has responded to a defamation notice “issued” by Ali Noor’s attorney on April 20, as shared by the singer on his Instagram Stories. The notice was released after Kazmi called out Noor on social media on April 17 for alleged professional misconduct, the details of which she later shared in an exclusive a conversation with The Express Tribune. Among other things, she claimed that Noor “sabotaged” her career and future prospects in the music industry.

In the legal notice her lawyer has stated that Noor’s defamation notice was never signed by his legal representative and therefore, “has no legal authenticity.” He further maintained that Noor’s notice cannot be considered as “served”, since it was not sent to Kazmi via a proper channel and instead, was uploaded on social media i.e., Noor's IG Stories, tagging her account.

Kazmi’s notice goes on to respond to each claim made on behalf of Noor in his notice.

About the claim that, “[Noor] is a respectable and law-abiding citizen of Pakistan”, it states, “[This] is denied as framed. However, your client’s attitude towards our client, Maha Ali Kazmi, was so objectionable as well as his previous attitude with Ms Ayesha Binte Rashid.” It goes on deny the claim that Noor has “unmatchable reputation amongst his peers, the industry, the clients as well as the general public at large,” and it vehemently denies that Kazmi has raised “serious, false and baseless allegations” against him.

“It is brought on record that whatever is stated by our client is a statement of true facts and there is no question of false and baseless allegations against your client,” it holds. As for Noor suffering “irreparable loss to his reputation, trade and torturous mental agony as a consequence of [Kazmi’s] alleged false allegations,” it states, “It is also specifically denied as false that the alleged allegations of our client tantamount to deliberate defamation.”

Reiterating her account with a few additions, the notice continues, “It is stated for keeping the record straight that each word spoken by our client, Maha Ali Kazmi, in respect of the conduct of your client during the course when she visited his office for an audition is true and correct, and neither our client needed to make any false allegations on your client nor has she benefited from breaking her silence. The attitude and conduct of your client have completely destroyed her confidence, her professional career and caused her great mental torture and financial losses. His following conduct during the meeting with our client at the time of her visit for an audition ruined her future prospects.”

The notice holds that as stated by Kazmi, "during the audition for Coke Studio Season 9 at the Coke Studio premises in Karachi, your client [Noor] took the liberty of attacking Kazmi's character, criticising not only her voice but also her personality; that she was not the girl he envisioned after watching her debut music video, Nazar. With malicious intent, [Noor] made Kazmi feel very intimated, deeply uncomfortable and vulnerable; making unwarranted comments about [her] attire – suggesting it was too eastern for his liking. [Noor] also mentioned to [Kazmi] that she exuded a weak personality and if she wanted to salvage her career, she would need to come to Lahore and record an album with him. [He] went on to describe her as gullible, incapable of making decisions for herself in an attempt to shatter [her] confidence. He said he would like to take the opportunity to mould her in the image he felt fit.”

The notice states that at a meeting later scheduled at "Noor’s PC Hotel Karachi bedroom", he purportedly made derogatory remarks about Kazmi in the presence of her spouse, calling her too “proper and careful” while going as far as suggesting that she should take up drugs to loosen up. It reinstated that Noor described Kazmi as someone who couldn't sing and was nasal, and as co-producer, had conveyed to the main producers of the Coke Studio Season 9 that Kazmi couldn't sing, causing long-lasting damage to her artistic self-confidence. “It should be remembered that this meeting at PC Karachi was scheduled to discuss work related projects; however, everything – except work – was discussed by [Noor].”

The notice maintains that Noor’s allegations were “person specific” and “beyond the scope of [his] job description as co-producer,” which are neither permitted under the law, nor “would have been authorised by the Coca-Cola Company.”

Kazmi’s attorney advised Noor to “withdraw his false and mala fide legal notice,” and tender an apology to Kazmi within three days, while refraining from involving himself in “false and fruitless litigation.” Failure to comply would result in Kazmi legally defending her claims and she would also file a suit to counter claim damages and compensation “to the tune of Rs100 million (only)” while initiating a criminal and other proceedings.

Noor’s legal notice

The court notice shared by Noor on his Insta absolutely refuted and vehemently denied "all so-called allegations of harassment" raised by Kazmi. It stated that Kazmi raised "serious, false and baseless allegations" while "hurling abuses" at him.

Noor's legal team directed Kazmi to withdraw all the "false allegations" and tender an apology within three days of receiving the notice." If Kazmi doesn't apologise or withdraws her accusations, Noor will initiate civil proceedings for defamation and will claim damages worth Rs65 million," it said.

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