LAHORE: Singer Meesha Shafi’s mother Saba Hameed, a senior artist, recorded her statement before a sessions court on Tuesday and supported Meesha’s stance of sexual harassment against fellow singer/actor Ali Zafar.

Ms Hameed recorded her statement as witness of her daughter in a defamation suit filed by Zafar claiming damages of Rs1 billion from Ms Shafi.

Responding to queries of Shafi’s counsel, Ms Hameed said her daughter gained no benefit but faced loss by disclosing the events of sexual harassment. She said her daughter also faced losses in terms of friends and finances by making the incidents public. She said her daughter was very much aware of her losses.

Ms Hameed denied an allegation that Ms Shafi leveled allegations of sexual harassment against Zafar for publicity or to obtained citizenship of Canada. She also denied another allegation that her daughter got financial benefit from #Metoo campaign.

“In my opinion Meesha took right step by disclosing the events of sexual harassment,” Ms Hameed responded to a query of the counsel that whether Ms Shafi should have considered silence on the matter.

The court adjourned further hearing till Nov 2 when counsel of Mr Zafar will cross examine Ms Hameed.

In his suit, Mr Zafar said Ms Shafi through a tweet leveled baseless allegations of sexual harassment against him, which tarnished his image in public while his family had been facing agony and pain. He asked the court to issue a decree against Ms Shafi directing her to pay Rs1 billion as damages to him.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2019