Lahore Court Orders Meesha Shafi to Pay Rs5 Million to Ali Zafar in Defamation Case

A sessions court in Lahore has delivered a decisive verdict in the long-running defamation case between Ali Zafar and Meesha Shafi, ordering Shafi to pay Rs5 million in damages.

The judgment was announced by Additional Sessions Judge Asif Hayat, bringing an end to a case that has remained in the public spotlight since 2018. The lawsuit was originally filed by Zafar after Shafi publicly accused him of sexual harassment, allegations he consistently denied.

In its short verdict, the court declared Shafi’s social media post and subsequent interview as defamatory. It stated that the allegations were not proven in court and were harmful to Zafar’s reputation, dignity, and mental well-being. As a result, the court awarded Rs5 million as general damages, while dismissing claims for additional compensation due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The court also imposed restrictions on Shafi, barring her from repeating or publishing the allegations in any form, including on social media, print, or electronic platforms. This order aims to prevent further damage to Zafar’s reputation.

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The case, filed under the Defamation Ordinance 2002, spanned several years and involved extensive legal proceedings. Over the course of the trial, statements from 20 witnesses were recorded, and the case went through 284 hearings. It also saw multiple judicial transfers, reflecting the complexity and high-profile nature of the dispute.

Following the verdict, Zafar’s legal team stated that more clarity would emerge once the detailed judgment is issued. Meanwhile, Shafi’s lawyer confirmed that the decision will be challenged in a higher court, indicating that the legal battle may not yet be over.

The case has remained one of Pakistan’s most closely followed legal disputes involving public figures, highlighting issues of defamation, reputation, and accountability in the digital age.