Pakistan’s Biggest Harassment Case Faces Adjournment

The hearing of the high-profile harassment case in Pakistan’s history between singers Ali Zafar and Meesha Shafi was conducted in a Lahore sessions court on March 6 but the advocate of women’s rights skipped cross-examination once again.

International Women’s Day is celebrated across the world on March 8 and in Pakistan, the female activists stage Aurat March in different cities including Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore.

The biggest harassment case in Pakistan’s history was delayed once again as Meesha Shafi skipped cross-examination while other witnesses followed her footsteps.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Azhar Iqbal Ranjha presided over the case on March 6. The petitioner has already recorded testimony in the case.

However, the proceedings of the defamation suit had to be adjourned once again as Meesha Shafi did not appear in the proceeding and instead requested to join the next hearings via video-link.

Iffat Omar’s cross-examination

During cross-examination, the television actress Iffat Omar said she would want her children to become like Meesha Shafi.

She added that Meesha’s mother, Saba Hamid, was not just her friend but a teacher too.

Iffat confessed that she had said in an interview that she would still believe Meesha’s claims about Ali Zafar even if the court ruled in his favor.

Answering the question of a petitioner’s lawyer, Iffat Omar admitted that it was necessary to prove an allegation.

Answering if she was a respondent in the case, Iffat Omar said everyone in the showbiz was discussing it and she was part of the industry too. Therefore, she possessed the right to express her point of view.

The counsel argued that such allegations would create a negative impact on Ali Zafar’s children. At this, the actress said that whoever of the two was lying would create a negative impact on their children.

While talking to News360 after hearing, Iffat Omar said she could not attend the last proceeding due to a shooting in Karachi.

She added that her cross-examination had been completed in the fourth appearances.

The actress said only the defamation suit filed by Ali Zafar and the proceeding of the actual case pertaining to sexual harassment was yet to start.

She expressed it was bold to openly speak about sexual harassment in Pakistan.

Iffat Omar confessed that not only Ali Zafar but she also faced defamation after getting involved in the case.

She added that Meesha Shafi could not appear in the case due to the coronavirus pandemic and would surely appear once the situation improved.

The actress said that Meesha was ready to join the proceeding through video-link and the practice was being done in the whole world.

In response to a question, she said they would accept the decision of the court as they could not fight it.

Cross-examination with Saba Hamid

Saba Hamid told the court that her daughter was in Canada it was difficult to come to Pakistan due to the coronavirus situation.

She urged the court to cross-examine Meesha via video-link.

The court said that there was a whole procedure and a petition needed to file for it.

While talking to News360, Saba Hameed hoped that the decision would be in their favor.

She added that her daughter went through harassment and it was not an attempt to tarnish Ali Zafar’s image.

Saba Hamid said that Meesha was not backing off but she was ready to be part of the hearing via video-link.

Meesha’s lawyer, Advocate Saqib Jilani, urged the court that the judge previously hearing the defamation suit had permitted taking Meesha on video link but Ali Zafar’s lawyer had opposed it.

The petitioner’s lawyer maintained why Meesha could not attend the hearing when she could come to Pakistan for professional activities.

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He had also maintained the traveling between Pakistan and Canada was not banned.

Advocate Saqib Jilani said the high courts have allowed the recording of statements through video-link at a site approved by the court. At this, Additional District and Sessions Judge Azhar Iqbal Ranjha asked Meesha Shafi’s lawyer to file a formal application in this regard.

Ali Zafar left his tour in the U.S to present himself for his cross examination though he had the option to delay. That’s the difference. He also said it on record that I challenge Meesha to come to court, which she will never will on fear of being exposed.

— Barrister Ambreen Qureshi (@ambreenqureshi) March 6, 2021

Ali Zafar’s lawyer

While talking to News360, Omar Tariq Gul, lawyer of Ali Zafar, said that they wanted to start cross-examination with Meesha Shafi but she did not come.

The court had summoned six witnesses but only Saba Hameed and Iffat Omar appeared.

Gul told that make-up artists Lena Ghani and manager Farhan Ali have been summoned in the next hearing on March 20.