Women step forward to support Ali Zafar amid harassment claims

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LAHORE: Meesha Shafi’s explosive accusation of sexual harassment against singer Ali Zafar has set of fireworks in all directions. In midst of all the women across Pakistan stepping forward to support Shafi and sharing their own experiences of being harassed by Zafar, a couple of brave women have decided to step up in support of him.

Among them is actress Resham, Maya Ali and public relations mogul Fareshteh Aslam.

Speaking to media outlets, film star Resham said that she did not believe the harassment accusations on Ali.

“I don’t think there is any truth to the harassment allegations against Ali,” said the actress. “He is a very focused person and does his work with a lot of intensity. He has never been at the center of such news.”

“I have known Ali personally for many years. He is a colleague and we have worked on a few projects together. He is a huge name in Pakistan and I have never heard any such allegations against him in the entire span of his career.”

The actress insisted that Ali is a very cultured and educated person and his career has remained clean of scandals.

She added that if there is any bad blood between Meesha and Ali, they should sit and resolve it instead of mud flinging.

Like most of Pakistan, Resham has also demanded that evidence be presented to support the harassment claims.

Fareshteh Aslam, a leading public relations personnel tweeted “It’s been a difficult 24 hours. Ali Zafar has been a preferred working choice for over a decade; he’s intense about work, principled & delivered over & above expectation. Never expected to hear this about him. Ali & force? There’s more to this #metoo.”

Similarly, Maya Ali also expressed her support for Ali in an Instagram post in which she stated that she respected Zafar and requested everyone to look at both sides of the picture before passing their judgments.

 

While speaking in favour of Zafar, a woman named Zarqa Tahir has said that he was the only person who had come forward to protect a group of dancers and singers who were being sexually harassed. According to Tahir, Zafar was also financially supporting a centre run for the well-being of these dancers and their children.

Tahir said they contacted many people to support and protect the dancers and singers, but of all Zafar was the only one who stepped up.

On April 19, Meesha Shafi posted a lengthy message on Twitter, accusing Zafar of physically harassing her on multiple occasions.

“This happened to me despite the fact I am an empowered, accomplished woman who is known for speaking her mind!” read the statement.

Zafar denied the accusations and has announced that he will pursue legal action against the actress.

“I intend to take this through the courts of law, and to address this professionally and seriously rather than to lodge any accusations here,” he wrote on Twitter.

Zafar has dominated the music charts in Pakistan for nearly two decades and has also starred in a number of films including Bollywood satire Tere bin Laden which translates as Your Bin Laden.

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