LAHORE: Meesha Shafi’s sexual harassment appeal against Ali Zafar to the Governor of Punjab was rejected on July 11 as Meesha wasn’t an actual employee at the time the harassment allegedly took place and hence, was not bound by any formal contract.
Meesha had filed a complaint to the provincial ombudperson against the actor, under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010 but since the case does not fall under the said act, her appeal was dismissed.
According to Zafar’s legal team, “Meesha was not compelled in any way to work with Ali.”
Meesha’s legal team then appealed to the governor Punjab to overturn the decision but her appeal (copies of which are available with Pakistan Today) was rejected by the Governor on the same grounds upholding the decision of the Ombudsperson.
Speaking on why this piece of information was revealed almost a month later, the team said that at that time Ali’s debut Pakistani film was about to release and promotions were in full swing.
“We didn’t want the attention from the movie to be diverted,” a member from the team said.
Both the parties in the suit have been informed of the matter and Ali in a statement said, “I have always maintained that I will respect and honour whatever decision the justice system takes and that I believe justice shall be served in the best possible manner.”
Meesha’s lawyers said that they will appeal “again on a competent forum.”
Meanwhile, Ali has also filed a defamation suit against Meesha Shafi before the court under the Defamation law denying the allegations and having slandered against him causing damage to his reputation and image seeking Rs 100 crores as damages.
On the first date of hearing, June 25, the Additional District Judge after the hearing restrained Shafi from making any further derogatory statements against Zafar until the final decision of the case.
The next date of hearing was fixed for July 5 but in spite of notice and news coverage, nor Meesha or her lawyers made an appearance in court.
The case is expected to be taken up next in August.
[…] Source: Pakistan Today […]
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