A sessions court in Lahore has announced its verdict in a defamation case filed by singer Ali Zafar against Meesha Shafi, ordering the latter to pay Rs5 million in damages.

Zafar had filed a defamation suit in 2018 seeking Rs1 billion in damages after Shafi accused him of sexual harassment – allegations he consistently denied. In the notice, the singer claimed Shafi damaged his reputation through false allegations of sexual harassment.

In a two-page short verdict, the court declared Shafi's tweet dated April 19, 2018, and her April 21 interview "false, defamatory and injurious imputations" against Zafar, "[...] whereby allegations of sexual harassment of a physical nature were levelled, which have not been proved to be true or made for public good, and thus constitute actionable defamation." It also read: "The plaintiff is held entitled to compensatory damages on account of injury to reputation, dignity and mental anguish. However, the claim of special damages has not been proved through cogent and reliable evidence. Accordingly, a sum of Rs5,000,000/- (Rupees Five Million) is awarded to the plaintiff as general damages only, recoverable from the defendant."

The sessions court also barred Shafi from posting tweets related to the harassment allegations. During the court proceedings, statements of 20 witnesses were recorded. The case spanned 284 hearings and saw the transfer of nine judges over the course of litigation. Meanwhile, Shafi's lawyer told the media that the sessions court's verdict will be challenged in the high court. "We are currently reviewing the certified copy of the verdict," he added.