A sessions court on Tuesday passed a partial judgment in actor-singer Ali Zafar’s defamation suit against Meesha Shafi, ordering Meesha Shafi to pay Rs 5 million as compensation to Ali Zafar.
Lahore, (Urdu Point / Pakistan Point News – 31st Mar, 2026) A sessions court on Tuesday passed a partial judgment in the defamation suit filed by singer-actor Ali Zafar against Meesha Shafi, ordering Meesha Shafi to pay Rs 5 million as compensation to Ali Zafar.
In a short order, the court declared that Meesha Shafi’s tweet dated April 19, 2018 and an interview published on April 21, 2018 contained false, defamatory and malicious allegations against Ali Zafar.
The court held that the allegations of sexual harassment of a physical nature were not proven to be true or made in the public interest, and therefore constituted defamation that required action.
The court stated that Ali Zafar is entitled to compensation for damage to reputation, dignity and mental anguish. However, the court observed that the claim for special damages was not substantiated by reliable evidence and hence awarded Rs 5 million as general damages instead of Rs 1 lakh. one billion The lawsuit was sought.
The court also permanently banned Meesha Shafi from repeating, publishing or causing to be published the same allegations in print, electronic or social media.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Asif Hayat declared the short order on the Rs 1 billion defamation suit filed by Ali Zafar in 2018, bringing to closure an eight-year-long suit.
The court concluded the hearing on Monday, indicating that the final ruling was likely to be announced on Tuesday.
During final arguments last week, Ali Zafar’s lawyer, Omar Tariq Gill, argued that the sexual harassment allegations had damaged his client’s reputation and maintained that no witness had proven the allegations, and asked the court for Rs 1 billion in damages.
Meesha Shafi’s lawyer, Saqib Gilani, said sexual harassment cases often rely on victim testimony and trauma rather than eyewitness accounts, citing Supreme Court precedent.
Ali Zafar stated in the defamation suit that the allegations made by Meesha Shafi damaged his public image and caused distress to him and his family. He asked the court to issue the case in his favor and direct Meesha Shafi to pay Rs 1 billion in compensation after she accused him in 2018 of sexually harassing her on multiple occasions.
During the proceedings, Ali Zafar presented 13 witnesses to support his claim, while Meesha Shafi presented seven witnesses. Nine judges were changed during the trial, and 283 sessions were held before the verdict was announced.