A sessions court in Lahore has ruled in favor of Ali Zafar in the long-running defamation case against Meesha Shafi. The court ordered her to pay Rs5 million in damages.
The verdict was announced on Tuesday by Additional Sessions Judge Asif Hayat. This brings an end to an eight-year legal battle that began in 2018 after Meesha publicly accused Ali Zafar of sexual harassment. In response, Zafar filed a Rs1 billion defamation suit. He claimed the allegations damaged his reputation and career.
According to the court’s short order, the allegations made by Meesha Shafi were considered defamatory. In addition, she has been directed to pay compensation of Rs5 million to Ali Zafar.
The case remained in court for more than eight years. During this period, nine judges were changed and over 280 hearings took place. The court also recorded statements from 20 witnesses. Meanwhile, both parties completed cross-examinations and final arguments before the decision was reserved.
In 2018, Meesha Shafi accused Ali Zafar of harassment through social media posts. Zafar denied the allegations and later issued a legal notice. He called the statements “false, defamatory and damaging” to his image and livelihood. He subsequently pursued the matter under Pakistan’s defamation laws.
The case also involved earlier legal proceedings, including a 2019 restriction on Meesha from making further public statements about the allegations. That order was later upheld after appeals in higher courts.