Ali Zafar’s witnesses reject harassment allegations in affidavits

Published May 22, 2019
All witnesses maintained that no sexual harassment had taken place during the jamming session on Dec 22, 2017.  — Dawn/File
All witnesses maintained that no sexual harassment had taken place during the jamming session on Dec 22, 2017. — Dawn/File

LAHORE: A district and sessions court on Tuesday adjourned hearing of a defamation suit of singer/actor Ali Zafar against fellow singer Meesha Shafi after affidavits filed on behalf of the former’s seven witnesses rejected the incident of sexual harassment as alleged by the latter.

Advocate Rana Intizar submitted the affidavits of the witnesses, including guitarist Asad Ahmed, bass player Muhammad Ali, drummer Qaisar Zain, backing vocalist Aqsa Ali, saxophone player Muhammad Taqi, percussionist Kashif Chaman and keyboard player Joshua Keith.

All the witnesses maintained that no incident of sexual harassment, as alleged by Ms Shafi, had taken place during the jamming session held on Dec 22, 2017.

In his affidavit, guitarist Ahmed said that during the entire session, eyes of all artists were on Ms Shafi and Zafar and no incident as alleged by the female singer took place there.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Amjad Ali Shah adjourned further hearing till May 29 and summoned the witnesses for cross-examination.

In his suit, Zafar said Ms Shafi through a tweet on April 19, 2018 levelled baseless and unfounded allegations of sexual harassment against him, which resulted in tarnishing his image in public, while his family had been facing agony and pain.

He said she failed to delete the tweet and issue an apology based on the tweet within 14 days of a legal notice served on her.

He asked the court to issue a decree against Ms Shafi directing her to pay Rs1 billion as damages to him.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...