Celebrities show support to Ali Zafar amid sexual harassment controversy

The ongoing tension within the Pakistani industry about the Ali Zafar and Meesha Shafi sexual harassment controversy has divided the entertainment industry into groups.

While most celebrities have not directly taken sides, it has definitely started a huge debate over the internet about the issue. As some stars have picked their sides, the others choose to remain silent about the issue. Following that, here are a few stars that have spoken in favour of the rock star, Ali Zafar.

• Maya Ali took to Instagram to speak in favour of her co-star quoting ‘I respect this man’.

I’m not here to say who is wrong and who is right or who did what and who didn’t… Let’s say, I haven’t known him for long, but I have been working with him since 1 year, we shot our film in Lahore and then we were all together in Poland to shoot the rest of the film and I never ever got any kind of that vibe from him… I always found him talking to his wife and kids on FaceTime and this made me a fan of him, because he would always share his good and bad moments with his wife and family… When we were on set or in any restaurant with the whole team he would always make sure that he was sharing these moments with her… I am not judging anyone nor giving any clarification on anyone’s behalf, and we can’t judge the one side of a book… I respect this man @ali_zafar and want the truth to come out, until then we shouldn’t judge anyone’s character…????

A post shared by Maya Ali (@official_mayaali) on Apr 19, 2018 at 10:35am PD

• In another scenario, Ali Zafar’s bandmates lent him their support stating that he would never do such a thing. According to claims, the band members said that they have they never experienced any harassment from the singer and find it hard to believe. Furthermore, they claim that they were present during the jam session Meesha mentioned in her interview to a local newspaper and that they witnessed nothing of the sort.

• Another actor/media professional Mehreen Raheal supported Ali Zafar in her tweet stating ‘Ali Zafar you are a star,’ which was also posted on her Instagram.

I believe in girl power I am all for girl power, I wish no one ever has to go through any abuse……I have known ali since our first assignment together and I know for a fact …. he isn’t some one who would ever do any thing to disrespect women….. #alizafar

A post shared by Mehreen Raheal(official) (@mehreenraheal) on Apr 19, 2018 at 7:53pm PDT

• Sanam Taseer also tweeted her take on the controversy in favour of Ali Zafar stating, ‘I am not going to discredit someone else’s story, her experience is her own, but I can safely say that I have been in enough vulnerable situations around Ali Zafar to know he can be completely trusted.’

I’m not going to discredit someone else’s story … her experience is her own…but I can safely say that I’ve been in enough vulnerable situations around @AliZafarsays to know that he can be completely trusted.

— sanamT (@sanamtaseer) April 19, 2018

• Waqar Zaka also tweeted in favour of the rockstar on his Twitter account.

Jab tak larki ko acha lagta hai , “its healthy flirt”, jab larki ka mood na ho tu “sexual harassment”. Larki num mangay tu “its just for fun” , Larka num mangay tu “its Tharkipan”. If it’s not a publicity stunt tu phelay Court mei file karti Madam, Social media kyun? #Meesha

— Waqar Zaka (@ZakaWaqar) April 20, 2018

However, actors like Fakhr-e-Alam, Mahira Khan and Armeena Khan remain to stay neutral on the matter.