KARACHI: Singer, model and actress Meesha Shafi took to Twitter on Thursday and alleged that musician and actor Ali Zafar sexually harassed her on more than one occasion, Dawn.com reported.

“Today, I speak up because my conscience does not allow me to be silent anymore,” she said in a statement posted on the social media website, adding that if this could happen to an established artist like her then it could happen to any young woman hoping to enter the industry.

“I have been subjected, on more than one occasion, to sexual harassment of a physical nature at the hands of a colleague from my industry: Ali Zafar. These incidences did not happen when I was young, or just entering the industry. This happened to me despite the fact that I am an empowered, accomplished woman who is known for speaking her mind! This happened to me as a mother of two children,” she claimed.

Actor denies allegations, says he will take matter to court

Hours later, Mr Zafar also took to Twitter to reject the charges.

Ms Shafi is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. She has featured prominently in Coke Studio and movies like The Reluctant Fundamentalist.

Mr Zafar is known widely for musical tracks like ‘Channo’ and ‘Rockstar’ along with roles in Bollywood films such as Tere Bin Laden and Kill Dil. He is also a regular fixture on Coke Studio.

While several Pakistani celebrities have come forward to reveal their childhood experiences of sexual abuse as part of the #MeToo movement, Ms Shafi’s statement is the first instance of a Pakistani entertainer publicly calling out a peer for sexual misconduct.

Speaking to Dawn.com, Ms Shafi said that when the incident happened, the very first person she informed was her husband.

“Shortly after that I spoke about this incident to someone on my team, and one of my friends,” she said, adding that it shouldn’t be this difficult to speak out when one was right.

“As parents, we tell our children to speak up if somebody touches them inappropriately and that it is never their fault. So why is it this hard to do the same? One shouldn’t have to be this brave to report sexual misconduct. I’ve had support around me, I consider myself an empowered woman, and I still had such a hard time with this decision,” she said.

Her mother, actress Saba Hamid, said she supported her daughter’s decision to go public.

“I am hurt and angry and I feel very strongly about this. That this can happen with someone like Meesha who is so empowered is a rude awakening,” she said.

However, in a tweet Mr Zafar denied the allegations and said that he would take Ms Shafi to court.

In a statement shared on his Twitter account, he said that he was deeply aware and in support of the global #MeToo movement and what it stood for.

“I have nothing to hide. Silence is absolutely not an option. I categorically deny any and all claims of harassment lodged against me by Ms Shafi. I intend to take this through the courts of law... ultimately I am a strong believer that the truth always prevails.”

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2018