The Supreme Court of Pakistan approved to hear Meesha Shafi’s plea in the workplace harassment case against Ali Zafar on Monday. Earlier, her appeal was rejected by Lahore High Court and Punjab.
The singer had initially filed a complaint with the provincial ombudsperson in 2018, accusing Ali Zafar of harassment on ‘more than one occasion.’
Meesha said:
“This happened to me despite the fact that I am an empowered, accomplished woman who is known for speaking her mind.”
In response, Ali Zafar filed a defamation suit against Shafi. He denied the allegations and wants her to pay compensation for the damage to his reputation and destroying false allegations against him.
During today’s proceedings, Shafi’s counsel told the court:
“The [Lahore] High Court ruled that Meesha Shafi was not an employee.”
He argued:
“Students at educational institutions are also harassed, and they are not employed by educational institutions. Is harassment not to be prosecuted?”
https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/1348515974241284096?s=20
This also means that Harassment complaint was never heard on merits. Hats off to Meesha, Leena, legal teams who have been standing tall in the face of smear campaigns for the last 2 years. More power to all survivors of harassment who are still invisible & fighting for change.
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) January 11, 2021
Imp to note, Honorable Supreme Court granted leave to appeal in Meesha’s case “As case of first impression”
meaning a case that presents a legal issue that has never been decided by the Supreme Court. #MeToo— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) January 11, 2021
On Sunday 10th January, Meesha took it to Twitter for telling that her plea against harassment case will be heard in Supreme Court on Monday.
Thread*
Tomorrow, the Supreme Court of Pakistan hears my appeal on whether I, a ‘self employed person’ have a right, as per the law, to be heard after being harassed and therefore expect justice on merit as an equal citizen.
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) January 10, 2021
If ruled in my favour, this will be a landmark judgment in the history of Pakistan, determining those that are self employed, as having the same rights to complain and seek justice as any other.
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) January 10, 2021
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