LHC Partially Suspends Rs5 Million Damages Order Against Meesha Shafi in Defamation Case

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday granted partial relief to singer Meesha Shafi by conditionally suspending a trial court’s verdict that had directed her to pay Rs5 million in damages to fellow artist Ali Zafar in a defamation case. However, the court upheld restrictions preventing her from repeating the harassment allegations against him.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad and Justice Malik Waqar Haider Awan heard Shafi’s appeal against the March 31 decision of a sessions court.

During the proceedings, Shafi’s counsel, Saqib Jillani, requested suspension of the impugned judgment and proposed depositing one-third of the awarded amount. The bench initially rejected the partial payment offer, directing that the full amount be deposited.

Later, upon further consideration, the court modified its stance and ordered Shafi to deposit Rs2.5 million in cash while submitting a surety bond for the remaining Rs2.5 million. The court accordingly suspended the execution of the damages award on an interim basis.

However, the bench made it clear that the trial court’s restriction barring Shafi from publicly repeating or publishing harassment allegations against Ali Zafar would remain fully in effect.

The court also issued notices to Ali Zafar and adjourned further proceedings. His counsel, Umar Tariq Gill, was present in court and acknowledged the notice.

Earlier, in March, the sessions court had ruled that Meesha Shafi was liable to pay Rs5 million in damages, holding that her harassment allegations were not made in the public interest. The court had also permanently restrained her from repeating the allegations in any form of media.

The legal dispute dates back to 2018, when Shafi accused Ali Zafar of sexual harassment on multiple occasions. In response, Zafar filed a defamation suit seeking Rs1 billion in damages, arguing that the allegations damaged his reputation.

The case remains ongoing as the Lahore High Court continues hearing the appeal.