LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has sought a response within seven days on a miscellaneous application filed by singer Meesha Shafi challenging a lower court ruling that ordered her to pay Rs5 million in damages in a defamation case involving singer Ali Zafar.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad heard Meesha Shafi’s appeal against the trial court’s decision.
Meesha Shafi challenges trial court ruling
In her appeal, Meesha Shafi argued that the trial court had not properly assessed the facts and relevant law before issuing its decision.
She maintained that her allegations of sexual harassment had not been adjudicated on their merits before the defamation case was decided.
The singer also told the court that her separate sexual harassment case remains pending before the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
According to her petition, an allegation should not automatically be treated as false merely because it has not been proven.
High Court had suspended damages order
Meesha Shafi has asked the Lahore High Court to set aside the trial court’s order requiring her to pay Rs5 million in damages.
The High Court had previously suspended the trial court’s decision to the extent of the damages. During the latest hearing, the court directed the relevant party to submit a response to the miscellaneous application within seven days.
The trial court had ordered Meesha Shafi to pay Rs5 million in damages over allegations she made against Ali Zafar concerning sexual harassment. She has challenged that ruling before the Lahore High Court.