Ali Zafar vows to fully respond to Meesha Shafi's fresh allegations

LAHORE: Singer-cum-actor Ali Zafar on Tuesday vowed to fully respond to singer Meesha Shafi's fresh allegations against him.

The actor, in his statement, said he would respond to every verbal or written allegation through facts and evidence, adding, "[I] will issue a decisive thing today".

His legal team said the actor was aware of Meesha's submission of a sexual harassment complaint against him with the ombudsperson.

The complaint was turned down by the ombudsperson, and subsequently by the Punjab governor, the legal team said in the statement.

The statement read that Meesha approached the Lahore High Court seeking suspension of ombudsperson's decision, saying the matter is sub judice and the court had neither nullified the ombudsperson's decision, nor of the governor's.

Zafar's legal team stated that the orders of the ombudsperson and provincial governor are in place regarding rejection of Meesha's complaint.

Meesha Shafi responds to Ali Zafar’s allegations

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The lawyers said their client said the right thing that the complaint against him had been turned down.

"Ali Zafar sent a legal notice to Meesha Shafi for levelling false allegations," his legal team said, adding that the actor filed a lawsuit against his accuser on June 23, 2018.

The team further said the court issued notice to Meesha on July 5, 2018, adding, "The court issued orders barring Meesha from speaking against Ali Zafar on print, electronic and social media".

It said the singer didn't receive the notice despite its airing on media and submitted power of attorney through her legal team on August 13, 2018.

Zafar's lawyers noted that the court sought reply from Meesha several times, whereas her legal team did not cross-examined witnesses presented by the defence.

The court fined Meesha Rs10,000 for not cross-examining the witnesses, Zafar's legal team said, questioning, "If these are not delaying tactics then what else will it be called?"

Zafar's lawyers said this statement was a response to "false statements" given by Meesha's legal team, noting that their client reserved the right to take legal action over such statements.