LAHORE: A judicial magistrate has summoned singer Meesha Shafi and five others through bailable arrest warrants in a case registered under the cybercrime law by actor-cum-singer Ali Zafar on charges of running a malicious campaign against him on social media.

Six people nominated in the case, including Shafi, had filed applications for a one-time exemption from personal appearance in Thursday’s proceedings.

A written order issued by judicial magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Virk says: “The reason mentioned by the accused Fareeha Ayub in her application is justifiable, therefore, the same is hereby allowed.” He directed Ms Ayub to appear at the next hearing.

However, he dismissed the applications of others, saying the reasons mentioned in their applications were not justifiable and summoned them through bailable arrest warrants of Rs50,000 each on Feb 8. Another absent suspect, Hamna Raza, was also summoned through a bailable arrest warrant.

The magistrate allowed an adjournment request on behalf of Zafar’s counsel, and adjourned further hearing for arguments on an acquittal application of Ali Gul Pir and an application of Shafi for dispensation of her appearance and representation through a pleader. Shafi travelled to Canada on Jan 11 after appearing in three hearings.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2022