LHC suspends Rs 5m damages order against Meesha Shafi in defamation case

The Lahore High Court has suspended the implementation of a Rs 50 lakh damages order against singer Meesha Shafi in a defamation case filed by fellow singer Ali Zafar.

The decision was issued by Justice Ahmed Nadeem Arshad during the hearing of Meesha Shafi’s appeal challenging the earlier verdict.

During proceedings, the court suspended the order directing payment of Rs 50 lakh to Ali Zafar. However, it instructed Meesha Shafi to deposit half of the damages amount in cash with the court and submit security for the remaining half.

The court also issued notices to Ali Zafar, seeking his response on the appeal.

Separately, the court rejected the request to suspend the entire trial court judgment. It observed that the lower court had restrained Meesha Shafi from making further allegations of sexual harassment, stating that such allegations could not be allowed to continue during proceedings.

Earlier, a sessions court had ruled in favour of Ali Zafar in his defamation suit and ordered Meesha Shafi to pay Rs 50 lakh in damages.

Ali Zafar had initially filed a Rs 100 crore defamation claim after Meesha Shafi accused him of sexual harassment, leading to a high-profile legal battle that has continued for years.