#MeToo wave strikes hard as Meesha Shafi accuses Ali Zafar of sexual harassment

LAHORE: The #MeToo movement accelerated by Hollywood has sent waves of shock across the world bringing down the most powerful of men. Surprisingly, the movement has made its way to socially conservative Pakistan in a short period of time. I added the word ‘surprising’ because though sexual harassment is prevalent in Pakistan, the taboo associated with it is enough to keep the victim quiet.

In a shocking turn of events, Pakistani singer Meesha Shafi has accused colleague and singer-actor Ali Zafar of sexual harassment.

Meesha, who is an example of a strong, empowered woman, known to speak her mind has alleged that Zafar has harassed her on “more than one occasion,” adding that, “These incidences did not happen when I was young, or just entering the industry. This happened to me despite the fact that I am an empowered, accomplished woman who is known for speaking her mind! This happened to me as a mother of two children.”

In a Twitter post, the singer shared her experience in a note with the caption, “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.”

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

The singer shared that the experience was a “traumatic one” for her and family.

“It has been an extremely traumatic experience for me and family. Ali is someone I have known for many years and someone who I have shared the stage with. I feel betrayed by his behaviour and his attitude and I know that I am not alone.”

“Today I am breaking this culture of silence and I hope that by doing that I am setting an example for young women in my country to do the same. We only have our voices and the time has come to use them,” she concluded.

Pakistan Today has reached out to Ali Zafar for a comment. However, the singer and his public relations team have declined to comment on the matter for now.

Speaking to local media, Meesha said that taking this step was hard for her and that she felt vulnerable. However, she credited her mother, Saba Hamid and her family for supporting her throughout.

Fans on social media have expressed their disappointment at the incidents and many of them are heartbroken.

This development comes a week after music-streaming site, Patari’s CEO, Khalid Bajwa, was accused of sexual harassment by several women. Bajwa’s expose was followed by women coming forward and sharing their own experiences of sexual assault at the hands of different men.

The Pakistan film industry is yet to react, while everyone else holds their breath at this time because Meesha’s revelation could spark Lollywood’s own #MeToo movement and we’re not sure if we’re ready for it.