LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has upheld a gag order restraining singer and actor Meesha Shafi from making statements related to sexual harassment allegations against fellow artist Ali Zafar until the conclusion of a defamation suit.

Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad observed that the veracity of the allegations cannot be determined without recording evidence and that repeated public statements while the matter is sub judice could amount to a parallel media trial, which is neither permissible nor desirable in the interest of justice and fair adjudication.

The judge dismissed a petition filed by Ms Shafi challenging a trial court gag-order dated Jan 24, 2019.

Ali Zafar claimed that the allegations leveled against him were false and had tarnished his reputation. Along with the suit, he sought an interim injunction to prevent the defendant female singer from issuing further statements on the matter.

Directs trial court to decide within 30 days defamation suit filed by singer Ali Zafar

The impugned order passed by an additional district & sessions judge reads: “In view of above, this application is accepted. Defendant shall not make any statement which is relevant to the controversy of defamation of plaintiff in this case till the decision of this suit.”

Advocate Saqib Jillani, the counsel for Ms Shafi, relying upon various judgments, argued that injunction cannot be granted in a defamatory suit.

He specifically referred to a case titled “Bonnard v. Perryman (1891) 2 Ch 269”, and said interim injunctions in defamation cases should only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

On the other hand, Advocate Umer Tariq Gill on behalf of the respondent (Ali Zafar) opposed the petition, pointing out irreparable harm to reputation through public statements made by the petitioner.

In his judgement, Justice Arshad held that there is no absolute legal bar on granting injunctions in defamation cases and that interim protection may be justified in exceptional circumstances to prevent irreparable harm to reputation.

He noted that reputation, once damaged, cannot be restored through monetary compensation and that the balance of convenience favoured maintaining the injunction.

The judge said for a public figure whose career and livelihood depend upon public perception and trust, continuous circulation of unproven allegations would cause harm which cannot be quantified in terms of money.

“The allegations levelled against him (respondent), if found to be untrue, are of such a nature that they directly strike at his dignity, honour and professional credibility,” the judge added.

He said the material available on record prima facie shows that the suit raises serious triable issues requiring evidence, therefore, the respondent cannot be left remedy less, during pendency of the proceedings.

On the contrary, the judge noted, the petitioner (Ms Shafi) would not suffer any irreparable prejudice by being restrained from making statements relevant to the controversy till the matter is decided on merits.

He said the restraint imposed is temporary in nature and subject to the final outcome of the suit.

The judge ruled that the trial court had exercised its discretion properly by imposing a limited restriction rather than a blanket prohibition.

The judge also held that the order did not violate freedom of expression, stating that such freedom is subject to reasonable restrictions and must be balanced with the right to dignity.

Justice Arshad observed that following the principles of Bonnard v. Perryman, an interim injunction restraining the petitioner from making any statement regarding the subject matter of the alleged defamation until the disposal of the suit was justified.

Dismissing the petition, the judge also directed the trial court to decide the main defamation suit expeditiously, preferably within 30 days, as the case is currently at the stage of final arguments.

In his suit, Ali Zafar said Ms Shafi through a tweet on April 19, 2018 leveled baseless 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 the female singer 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, January 28th, 2026