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Meesha Shafi Faces Backlash Following FIA Verdict: Here’s How People Are Reacting On Social Media

Manaal Khurram

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) convicted singer Meesha Shafi and eight others on December 15 in the defamation case filed by singer Ali Zafar, further requesting the trial court to take necessary legal action. The FIA ??issued an interim challan in the case filed by the Channo singer in the special court of Lahore Central. According to the oral and documentary evidence provided in the ??investigation, Shafi and her alleged witnesses – Iffat Omar, Mahim Javed, Lena Ghani, Haseem Zaman, Fareeha Ayub, Syed Faizan Raza, Hamna Raza and Ali Gul Pir – have been found guilty. The challan noted that Shafi, along with the above-mentioned personalities failed to provide concrete proof for the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against Zafar on social media in April 2018.

 

In November 2018, Zafar lodged a complaint with the FIA ??Cyber ??Crime Wing in which he claimed that several social media accounts were posting offensive and threatening material against him and his family. He also provided details of his Twitter and Facebook accounts in support of his claim. Apart from the case, a Rs1 billion defamation suit filed by Zafar against Shafi is also pending in the Lahore Sessions Court, the next hearing for which is slated to be held on December 21.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shafi has been facing ample backlash on social media platforms since the announcement of the court’s ruling. While some users on Facebook and Twitter are questioning music shows including Coke Studio and Velo Sound Station for featuring her in the first place, others are siding with Zafar, adding the verdict goes to show that sometimes men are victims too. And some of Shafi’s supporters have been calling out some news publications for writing misleading headlines too. “A number of news organizations published misleading headlines that claimed that Meesha Shafi, along with eight others, have been found guilty of running a smear campaign against Ali Zafar by the FIA. These claims are misleading,” read a post. “FIA has no mandate to label Meesha or anyone ‘guilty’. Her case hasn’t even been heard in court on its merits! Men say ‘take it to the courts’ and yet they don’t want to wait for a verdict?” added another. Responding to this, a post read, “In FIA, Ali Zafar was proven innocent. In the session court he will be proven innocent too.” Ghani, one of Shafi’s witnesses tweeted, “Shame! @dawn_com should know that FIA’s job is to investigate, compile charges and forward to court. It’s for the courts to give the verdict. When did FIA become the Judge, jury and the executioner?! Those who get such news printed are normally guilty!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

But many cannot let go of why she returned to Pakistan for music shows but failed to appear before the court on multiple instances. “So, Meesha Shafi can come to Pakistan for recordings but can’t face courts, her vilification drive against @AliZafarsays badly exposed by FIA. She used the #MeToo card for her own purpose and damaged the entire campaign a lot. Pathetic Meesha! #MeToo,” noted a user. Some are asking for Shafi to be boycotted from the entertainment industry. “Boycott Meesha Shafi. Stop giving her projects inside Pakistan. She’s a liar and disgrace for Pakistan,” penned another. Lawyer Hassaan Niazi added, “While FIA declares Meesha/Meera shafi guilty in their chalaan. Let’s see what @cokestudio@pepsi and Velo do. Will they keep giving her contract. Will they do with her what they did with Ali Zafar? Time to condemn misuse of MeToo.” One more posted, “Thank God Meesha Shafi is officially proven guilty. More power to Ali Zafar who fought bravely against such filthy women who play the victim card for their own benefit.” Cheering for Zafar, a user wrote, “FIA investigation proved my King @AliZafarsays was innocent. He went through a lot because of these fake allegations, not only in his career but also mentally. The trauma will always remain passively but I hope he finds peace and more success.”

 

 

 

 

 

People are now demanding a public apology from Shafi too. “Shame on you @itsmeeshashafi. What a disgrace you’re for all those women who are already suffering from genuine issues of harassment. You’ve devastated the entire struggle Where are the champions of feminism? Who will give justice to

@AliZafarsays for his economical & social loss?” remarked a user, adding, “We demand public apology from @itsmeeshashafi to @AliZafarsays.” Some furious users accused Shafi of taking advantage of and misusing the MeToo movement. “The fact that Meesha Shafi didn’t only defame #AliZafar but the MeToo movement as well. In Pakistan when women are now actually coming out with their stories, she used this slogan as an advantage to play the victim. A woman with no self-respect at all! Period,” read a post on the micro-blogging site. “More power to you @AliZafarsays. Thank you for standing up for all those people who have suffered just like you. Girls are not always right, especially girls like #MeeshaShafi.”

 

 

 

 

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Summing up her thoughts, Dubai-based journalist Mahwash Ajaz penned, “The truth remains the truth no matter how many people say it’s not. A lie remains a lie no matter how many people repeat it. I’m glad @AliZafarsays never stopped fighting.” The Channo singer responded to one of Ajaz’s earlier tweets (where she provided documentary evidence against Shafi) with, “You stood tall and undeterred in the face of slander, bullying and character assassinations when few dared speak up for fear of backlash. THAT is a true humanitarian. A hero. Respect.” And of course, jokes were made too! “If you still consider Meesha Shafi not guilty, don’t worry about what’s in the vaccine,” a Twitter user shared.

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