Meesha Shafi has shocked us to the core! The crooner took to Twitter to express how she was sexually exploited and physically abused by a close colleague, Ali Zafar!
As unbelievable as it may be, she came forward about the entire scenario using the famous hashtag #MeToo.
Here’s what she had to say;
“I have been subjected, on more than one occasion, to sexual harassment of a physical nature at the hands of a colleague from my industry: Ali Zafar. These incidences did not happen when I was young, or just entering the industry. This happened to me despite the fact I am an empowered, accomplished woman who is known for speaking her mind! This happened to me as a mother of two children.”
Shafi continued, “Despite having a voice, there are some issues that are very difficult to speak about as a woman, especially sexual harassment.”
“If this can happen to someone like me, an established artist, then it can happen to any young woman hoping to break into the industry and that concerns me gravely.”
Shafi who has featured prominently in Coke Studio further said, “ It has been an extremely traumatic experience for me and my family. Ali is someone I have known for many years and someone who I have shared the stage with. I feel betrayed by his behavior and his attitude and I know that I am not alone.”
“Today I am breaking this culture of silence and I hope that by doing that I am setting an example for young women in my country to do the same. We only have our voices and the time has come to use them.”
Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo pic.twitter.com/iwex7e1NLZ
— Meesha Shafi (@itsmeeshashafi) April 19, 2018
It comes to the whole world as a shock as we had never thought the ‘perfect’ hubby Ali Zafar would do such a thing!
However, Ali Zafar has now broken the silence and has denied the sexual harassment allegations by the fellow singer.
Here’s what he tweeted!
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) April 19, 2018
The rockstar claimed that he will take the matter to the court rather than solve the matter on social media.
Shafi is a prominent figure in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. She has also been vocal about human rights. She voiced her support in favor of the #MeToo movement on social media. Recently, she also featured in UN Women Pakistan’s campaign that aimed at raising awareness about violence against women.
On the other hand, Ali Zafar is a singer-songwriter, model, actor, and painter. The prominent star is also known for his acting skills. Zafar has also acted in Bollywood and has worked with big names like Shahrukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif and Ranveer Singh.
Social Media React’s to Meesha Shafi’s Statement!
Women and men have been supporting Meesha and are applauding her for opening up!
Meesha thank you for gathering the courage to say this, we women are in this together! Sending you strength!
— Aisha (@HariMirchein) April 19, 2018
Thank you for speaking out Meesha. ❤ More power, respect and success to you. I won’t say be strong because you are far stronger than me or most men. 👏
— Dancing in the moonlight (@anthonypermal) April 19, 2018
It takes alot of courage , to speak about someone who is influential has star power, u r brave, kudos
— Abdullah Sultan (@abdullahsultan) April 19, 2018
Thank you for sharing your story. No matter how successful & empowered a woman is, sharing incidence of sexual harassment in our society requires immense courage–because it does gives us [women] strength to break societal boundaries of so-called shame & share their ordeal.
— Nudrrat Khawaja (@NudrratKhawaja) April 19, 2018
More power to You Legend for Speaking the Truth 💪💪 Never Too Late ❤ @AliZafarsays You are a Good actor and Such thing never expected from You 👎👎
— DuttbiopicTOH (@RanbirAamirfc) April 19, 2018
While some had other opinions…
There s something not so right (read convincing) here. She s too bold a person to let it happen firstly; and do nothing to counter the act secondly. I think both of em must ve been doped outa their minds wen it happened. Nothing abnormal in their class,btw
— maliha mansoor (@malihamansoor1) April 19, 2018
Feminism in pakistan is not about equal rights, they want something else, their azadi to be vulgur ,to call man dogs while not doing their job properly except abusing and blaming
feminist like you are shame for the nation without any evidence how could you do blame a celebrity— A li (@umIamAli) April 19, 2018
Dear Meesha If only this isnt d case 😈 pic.twitter.com/v8Imbl7XSc
— Nabeel Chaudhry (@chaudhry_nabeel) April 19, 2018
It’s funny how such things to go one other extreme in Pakistan for starters we don’t even know what ali zafar did. It could have been something inappropriate but is it big enough to splatter it all over Twitter?
— Faisal Amjad (@FaisalAmjad1) April 19, 2018
I think @AliZafarsays nain isay FB pe friend request send ki hai …🤔
— T.🇵🇰 (@tahiralishah09) April 19, 2018
What do you think about this?
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