Web Desk: A sessions court in Lahore on Tuesday ruled in favor of Ali Zafar in a long-running defamation case against fellow singer Meesha Shafi, ordering her to pay 5 million rupees ($18,000) in damages.
The court also barred Shafi from posting further allegations related to harassment against Zafar on social media.
Additional Sessions Judge Asif Hayat delivered the verdict, bringing an end to a case that has spanned several years and drawn widespread public attention.
Zafar filed the defamation suit in 2018 after Shafi accused him of sexual harassment. He initially sought damages of 1 billion rupees.
However, the court awarded a reduced amount of 5 million rupees in its final judgment.
The case moved slowly through the legal system. Proceedings included testimony from 20 witnesses and a total of 284 hearings.
Meanwhile, the case saw the transfer of nine judges over the course of the trial, underscoring the complexity and duration of the proceedings.
In addition to financial compensation, the court restricted Shafi from making further social media posts related to the harassment allegations.
The ruling comes amid ongoing debate in Pakistan over defamation laws, harassment claims and the role of social media in amplifying such disputes.
Following the verdict, debate resurfaced online, with users expressing divided views on the outcome and its broader implications for accountability and freedom of expression.
The case has remained one of Pakistan’s most closely watched legal battles involving high-profile figures in the entertainment industry.
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