A sessions court in Lahore has brought to a close the defamation lawsuit filed by singer and actor Ali Zafar, directing fellow singer Meesha Shafi to pay Rs5 million in damages. The court found that Shafi’s social media posts contained false and defamatory statements against Zafar, specifically allegations of sexual harassment of a physical nature that were neither proven nor made in the public interest, thus constituting actionable defamation.
The case originated in 2018 when Zafar filed suit following Shafi’s public accusations of sexual harassment. Over the course of nearly eight years, the matter was heard in approximately 284 sessions before the Lahore sessions court, finally concluding in March 2026.
The court’s ruling clarified that while Zafar was entitled to general damages for harm to his reputation, dignity, and emotional distress, claims for special damages lacked sufficient credible evidence. Consequently, the court awarded Rs5 million as general damages, recoverable from Shafi. Additionally, the court permanently prohibited Shafi from repeating or publishing the defamatory sexual harassment allegations against Zafar in any media format, including print, electronic, or social platforms.
Although the court technically finalized the case on Monday, the formal order was issued on Tuesday. Zafar expressed that the allegations had severely damaged his public image and caused significant distress to his family. Shafi had accused Zafar in 2018 of multiple instances of sexual harassment, stating she initially sought to resolve the matter privately before making it public.
In his defamation claim, Zafar sought Rs1 billion in damages, asserting that the false accusations had gravely harmed his reputation. His attorney, Advocate Umar Tariq Gill, highlighted Zafar’s previously unblemished record and the negative impact the allegations had on his career.
On the other hand, Shafi’s lawyer, Advocate Saqib Jilani, urged the court to dismiss the defamation suit with costs, arguing that Zafar failed to present concrete evidence supporting his claims. He maintained that Shafi consistently reported multiple incidents and, despite rigorous cross-examination, should not be penalized for voicing her grievances.
