Twitter goes into Throwback Thursday mode after Pakistani singer-actor Meesha Shafi accuses Ali Zafar of sexual harassment. The allegation has divided the Pakistani showbiz industry, with voices speaking out both in support of and against Zafar
BOMBAY TIMES (April 21, 2018)

Within hours of Pakistani singer-actor Meesha Shafi accusing compatriot singer-actor Ali Zafar of sexual harassment, many from the country’s showbiz industry have spoken up on the issue. On Thursday, Shafi claimed that Zafar sexually harassed her multiple times. Detailing the experience in a note on Twitter, she wrote, “Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out… but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore.” Within a few hours, in a note of his own, Zafar “categorically” denied “any and all claims of harassment lodged” against him by Shafi. “I am aware and in support of the global #MeToo movement and what it stands for. I am the father of a young girl and a young boy, a husband to a wife and a son to a mother. I am a man who has stood up for myself, my family, my colleagues and friends countless times in the face of slander, defamation and general unkindness. I will do the same today,” he wrote, adding, “I intend to take this through the courts of law and to address this professionally and seriously, rather than to lodge any allegations here, contesting personal vendettas on social media and in turn disrespecting the movement, my family, the industry and my fans. Ultimately, I am a strong believer that the truth always prevails.”

The accusation and the denial soon resulted in a Tweetstorm. Several Pakistani artistes also commented on the issue. Sharing Zafar’s note, Pakistani actor Maya Ali came to her Teefa In Trouble co-star’s defence. “I’m not here to say who is wrong and who is right or who did what and who didn’t… Let’s say, I haven’t known him for long, but I have been working with him since 1 year, we shot our film in Lahore and then we were all together in Poland to shoot the rest of the film and I never ever got any kind of that vibe from him… I always found him talking to his wife and kids on FaceTime...,” she wrote, “I am not judging anyone nor giving any clarification on anyone’s behalf, and we can’t judge the one side of a book… I respect this man and want the truth to come out until then we shouldn’t judge anyone’s character.” (sic) Taking Shafi’s side in the debate, Pakistani actor-writer Osman Khalid Butt wrote, “A woman breaks her silence about abuse, withstands character assassination and further abuse on social media, her story turns into memes and tone-deaf jokes that trivialise the issue, she fears ostracisation — but suuuuure, she did it for the cheap publicity.” Urwa Hocane, a Pakistani VJ and actress, also supported the 36-year old mother of two, and tweeted, “More power to you! Meesha Shafi.”

On the other hand, singer-songwriter Fakhar-E-Alam wrote, “Idiots who are thinking I am by any means dismissing allegations or taking sides, need to know I am in shock and I find no amusement in this situation. But cuz I know both Ali Zafar and Meesha Shafi I am just hoping this is a bad misunderstanding & if true must be consequential.”