Shafi’s 2018 sexual harassment allegations against Zafar are widely seen as Pakistan’s highest-profile

On April 1, 2026, a Lahore court issued a consequential ruling in the long running legal dispute between Pakistani pop icons Ali Zafar and Meesha Shafi. The court ruled in favor of Zafar, finding that Shafi’s 2018 allegations of sexual harassment were "false, defamatory, and injurious."

The Court’s Findings

The ruling concludes a defamation suit initiated by Zafar in June 2018. According to the court’s decision:

Failure of Proof: The court found that Shafi’s allegations of harassment of a "physical nature" were not proven to be true nor shown to be made for the public good.

Financial Damages: Shafi has been ordered to pay Zafar 5 million rupees ($17,900) in damages.

Permanent Restraint: The court permanently restrained Shafi from repeating or publishing the defamatory allegations in any media format.

Legal Context and Appeals

The case has been a flashpoint for the #MeToo movement in Pakistan. Nighat Dad, counsel for Meesha Shafi and executive director of the Digital Rights Foundation, confirmed that the ruling will be appealed to the High Court.

Grounds for Appeal: The defense argues that the trial court misread evidence and overlooked the fact that Shafi’s original harassment complaint is still pending before the Supreme Court.

Ongoing Litigation: This ruling is one piece of a complex legal web, which includes a separate 2 billion rupee civil defamation suit filed by Shafi against Zafar and a cybercrime case initiated by Zafar against Shafi and her supporters.

Impact on Survivors

Rights advocates express concern that the ruling may have a "chilling effect" on survivors of gender based violence.

Barriers to Reporting: Critics argue that using defamation law to punish speech before underlying harassment claims are fully adjudicated shifts an unfair burden onto survivors.

The Silence Factor: Legal experts suggest that high profile damages and "restraint orders" may discourage others from coming forward, reinforcing social silence over accountability.