LAHORE: A sessions court on Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs10,000 on Meesha Shafi as her counsel failed to appear despite the last opportunity given on previous hearing of a defamation suit by singer Ali Zafar.

As Additional District and Sessions Judge Shakeel Ahmad took up the suit, no one appeared on behalf of the defendant, Ms Shafi, while lawyers of the plaintiff and witnesses were present in court.

On previous hearing held on April 8, Advocate Farhad Ali Shah had submitted his power of attorney as new counsel for the defendant in the case and sought an adjournment from court.

Plaintiff’s counsel Hassam Ahmad had opposed the adjournment request, however, the judge allowed the request in the interest of justice granting the last opportunity to the defendant’s counsel.

However, the defendant remained unrepresented during Wednesday’s hearing that irked the judge. The judge imposed a fine of Rs10,000 on the defendant and adjourned hearing till April 17.

In his suit, Mr Zafar said Ms Shafi through a tweet on April 19, 2018 levelled baseless and unfounded allegations of sexual harassment against him, which resulted in tarnishing his image in public while his family had been facing agony and pain.

He said she failed to delete the tweet and issue an apology based on the tweet within 14 days of a legal notice served on her. He asked the court to issue a decree against Ms Shafi directing her to pay Rs1 billion as damages to him.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2019