LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday partially suspended a trial court’s verdict that had ordered singer Meesha Shafi to pay Rs. 5 million in damages in a defamation case filed by fellow artist Ali Zafar.
Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad heard Shafi’s appeal against the sessions court ruling.
During the proceedings, her counsel, Advocate Saqib Jillani, sought a complete suspension of the verdict; however, the court declined the request.
The judge observed that the trial court had barred Shafi from repeating allegations of sexual harassment, noting that this portion of the ruling could not be suspended. “No one can be allowed to level such allegations,” the court remarked.
The sessions court had earlier ruled in favour of Zafar, directing Shafi to pay Rs. 5m in damages over defamation claims.
In its interim order, the LHC directed Shafi to deposit half of the imposed fine with the court and submit a surety bond for the remaining amount. The court also issued a notice to Ali Zafar, seeking his response to the appeal.
The case originates from the lower court’s decision upholding Zafar’s defamation claim — a ruling that Shafi has now challenged before the high court.
