Meesha Shafi challenges LHC decision in SC

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LAHORE: Singer Meesha Shafi on Friday moved the Supreme Court (SC) against a Lahore High Court (LHC) verdict mandating a conclusion to the defamation case filed against her by actor-singer Ali Zafar within three months.

Meesha’s lawyer Ahmed Pansota stated: “Our stance, i.e. the difficulty involved in concluding the trial, including examination of over 40 witnesses till April 15, 2019, stands vindicated today as the Honourable Judge acknowledged the same while enlarging the time period, alongside providing us with the opportunity to approach the court again, if required”.

The application filed at the SC said, “The trial court has not allowed delaying cross-examination of the witnesses. It has said that the witnesses will be cross-examined immediately after recording their statements.”

“Cross-examining the witnesses is a basic right. It is impossible to cross-examine them without knowing them on the basis of their statements,” it stressed.

The application added, “To present a witness is the right of one respondent and to cross-examine them is the right of the other respondent.”

Singer Meesha in her application further requested the apex court to declare the LHC’s decision null and void and allow the cross-examination of the witnesses.