LHC conditionally suspends verdict ordering Meesha Shafi to pay Rs5m in damages to Ali Zafar

LAHORE: On Monday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) conditionally stayed a trial court’s decision ordering singer Meesha Shafi to pay Rs5m damages to fellow singer-turned-actor Ali Zafar, who had sued her on charges of defamation while maintaining limitations against Shafi from repeating her harassment claims against him.

Two judges, led by Judge Ahmad Nadeem Arshad, heard Shafi’s appeal against the judgment made by the sessions court on March 31. Malik Waqar Haider Awan was another judge serving on the bench.

While hearing the petition, Saqib Jillani, her lawyer, sought stay of the order of the impugned judgment, along with depositing one-third of the total sum she was supposed to pay in cash.

At first, the bench rejected the plea for one-third payment but directed to pay the total amount in cash.

But after some consideration, the bench decided Shafi to pay Rs2.5m cash and give a surety for Rs2.5m in terms of remaining money. The bench stayed the decision of the trial court in so far as the damages awarded were concerned.

Nevertheless, the bench noted that the injunction issued by the trial court restricting Shafi from making harassment allegations against Ali Zafar will continue to operate.

It also issued a notice to Zafar and adjourned the hearing. Zafar’s counsel, Umar Tariq Gill, present in the court, received the notice.