In a development that is sure to send shockwaves around the Pakistani showbiz industry, singer-cum-actress Meesha Shafi came forward today to reveal that she had allegedly been a victim of sexual harassment at the hands of another major showbiz personality.
She proceeded by claiming that her harasser was none other than a fellow superstar, Ali Zafar.
In a detailed note over her social media account, Meesha recounted the reasons why she had step forward with her experience:
Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo pic.twitter.com/iwex7e1NLZ
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) April 19, 2018
Meesha Shafi, who is the 36-year-old mother of two children, stated that it was time that she shared her story so that the culture of silence regarding sexual harassment ends and more women are inspired by her example to step forward.
As expected, Pakistani Twitterati have a lot to say about the recent disclosure by Mrs. Shafi, with many throwing their support behind her and applauding her courage in naming and shaming her harasser:
https://twitter.com/mahwashajaz_/status/986924278321958912
About Ali Zafar, who himself is a showbiz superstar, Mrs. Shafi had this to say:
“Ali is someone I have known for many years and someone I shared the stage with. I feel betrayed by his behaviour and his attitude and I know that I am not alone.”
As @AliZafarsays has never been scandalise throughout his career, so u must be damm sure about wht u r saying about superstar of Pak, and if he’s done so than he must have explanations and ready to be charged as he let down his fans and nation being Role model of our youth 😒🤲🏿
— NadeeM (@Nadu805) April 19, 2018
After #MeeshaShafi’ s revelation more women will find the courage to break the silence. #MeToo Thank you #MeeshaShafi #SexualHarassment
— Zofeen Ebrahim (@zofeen28) April 19, 2018
Remember that #MeeshaShafi could tell her story because she is privileged in certain ways: she's married, has strong family support, is an established artist.
If it's difficult for her to speak out imagine what a younger, greener artist has to face?
— Hamna Zubair (@hamnazubair) April 19, 2018
Cool. Real world example. Lets see if anything happens to Ali Zafar.
— Ali (@themaholupper) April 19, 2018
Ye dunia jhooti log luteray, never knew Ali zafar was describing himself.
— عمر (@Keyb0ardMujahid) April 19, 2018
one thing is for sure, Ali Zafar will give his side of the story sitting in front of a piano.
— AZ (@azkhawaja) April 19, 2018
I just read about it. Holy Smokes! Mad respect to her for speaking out. I hope… Pray… More will speak up after this. 🙏
— Riz (@rizwanfarooq) April 19, 2018
Patari, the music-streaming startup which recently faced a high-profile sexual harassment case with their ex-CEO last week, tweeted in support of Mesha Shafi as well:
This is a sobering moment for our industry & given recent events we don’t wish to speak out of turn. But Patari extends its support to @itsmeeshashafi for her courage and bravery. Speaking out is never easy & we hope that these discussions lead to justice & safer spaces for all.
— Patari (@patarimusic) April 19, 2018
There are some people who think otherwise regarding this development:
https://twitter.com/Potterhead_Aish/status/986939362884583424
https://twitter.com/yasishzd/status/986927901886111744
https://twitter.com/MeriSunlo/status/986942802322968576
Meesha Shafi doesn't seem to be the kind of woman who would make such a huge claim of sexual harassment against a fellow renowned artist just for more fame. Better to hear both sides of the story before crucifying Ali Zafar but this is just painful and sad. Nobody is safe.
— Faisal (@OneAndOnlyCFC) April 19, 2018
And once again you all lost your mind after listening to that one side of story without even knowing what actually happened the other side, pause your judgemental asses for a while and wait for Ali zafar to come up with his side of story
— Izma. (@IzmaSiddiqi) April 19, 2018
Reportedly, after Meesha went public with her experience, Ali Zafar was asked to comment on the accusations that were levied against him. For the time being, Ali Zafar has responded that he does not wish to talk about this development right now.
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Update 1:
Hours after Meesha’s accusations went online, Ali Zafar has replied with a tweet of his own. He mentions that he will take the matter to courts over how Meesha has defamed him.
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) April 19, 2018
This is a developing story. More details will be added as they become available.
What’s the big deal if Ali Zafar asked her out or touched her? I know she is feminist but if you need to survive in music industry you need to get touched.
Bhai ap apni ammi jaan aur sister k liye bhe esi soch rakhty ho?
میری ماں اور بہن اتنی بولڈ نہیں کہ کنجروں کے پورے ٹولے کے ساتھ سٹوڈیو میں “میں چوری چوری تیرے نال” گانے لگ جائیں. کسی زمانے میں گانے والیوں کو کنجری کہہ کر پکارا جاتا تھا. آج کل یہ کنجریاں معزز بن گئی ہیں.
ویسے میں نے اس میشا شفی کو علی ظفر کی بغلوں میں کھڑے ہو کر تصویریں اترواتے دیکھا ہے. تب اس کو پتا نہیں چلا کہ میری چھاتی علی ظفر کو لگ رہی ہے؟
@Bitter_truth patwari hamsha zatiyat pa hi hamla kertay haa……………
I am sure you have no idea of real/professional life at all and are surely one of the “mature men” who live under their parents’ roof, kill their time by either listening to songs or watching movies. You “surely” have developed your own version of ideas about how music or entertainment industry works. i.e. “you need to survive in music industry you need to get touched”, and so you have come forward to “enlighten” the world with your vision. I do not agree with Bitter_truth and certainly will never think about you caring for your mother or sister because if you had, you would never have said what you just said.
Wait what? ???
Are you f***g serious?
Desi #MeToo?
but what actually he did with her ? Just saying that i was sexually harassed is not enough. What he did with you is still unknown
The law is quite clear about these incidences . i don’t understand why it wasn’t reported to the police ? Why is Twitter and facebook now acting as the police and judiciary now? Is it fame ? I don’t condone Ali Zafar but at the same time i don’t condone Misha Shafi’s method of reporting this . There has to be clear evidence i law before you publicly shame and name someone. Your’e playing with someones life here
علی ظفر جیسا شادی شدہ پڑھا لکھا خوبصورت نوجوان انڈیا گیا اور پاکستان میں بھی اتنا کام کیا وہ اس بیکار چھپکلی کو کیوں ہراس کرے گا ؟؟؟ یہ سستی شہرت کی بھوکی لگتی ہے آج کل خبروں میں رهنے کے لئے گلا لئی ٹائپ الزامات فیشن بن گیا ہے
Is Larki Mein Aisa Hai He Kya Jo Koi Iskay Sath Harassment Karyga ?
Your baji is just looking for fame. How can people be too stupid to understand a simple thing.
Ask your mum. May be she too was too stupid when she conceived you before marriage.
“baji” is your daughter and i did her ?
hahaha…kanjar bhi ab defend karne lage
A*****E F***ING IDIOT.
@Abdullah tumari baji ho gai GAANAY wali jasi meesha ha……us ko bahj daay tu ALI ZAFAR ka pass aur khod tu GUL KHAN ka pass BANU chal jaa teri PURANI QABAZ ka masla kahatam ho jai ga ……………
Isko b gulalai ki tarah jootey perne chahye . Did Ali Zafar forced into ur house to harass u or u enjoyed his couch for some money ? This is the only question here…
“A sexual provocation is reciprocally so important to discuss here as sexual harassment ” but in our society first one subject(Sexual provocation) belongs to WOMEN which is assume to be out of question of immoralities rather consider their basic right while second subject (sexual harassment) always belong to MEN which is already judged as criminal act as defined by our FEMINIST revolutionary society.
Redefinition of social rules on equitable basis is the need of hour to reach the actual reasons behind.