KARACHI: A day after a leading Pakistani actress Meesha Shafi accused AliZafar of sexual harassment, three more women came forward against thepopular singer and actor.
They levelled the allegations on Twitter, in what is thought to be thefirst #MeToo moment in Pakistan.
@itsmeeshashafi link> you’renot alone. Please read this. #metoolink>@merabichrayaar link>@HaadeaP link>pic.twitter.com/3KzIenHnQn link>
— Humna Raza (@HumnaRaza) April 19, 2018link>
*A blogger Humna Raza recounted her experience of being inappropriatelytouched by Ali Zafar during a public event.*
So @itsmeeshashafi link>‘sbrave sharing of her experience reminded me of a story about @AliZafarsayslink> from many many yearsago, when Ali Zafar tried to kiss my cousin and pull my cousin into arestroom with him. Luckily my cousin’s friends were there to push Ali Zafaroff link
— Maham Javaid (@JMaham) April 19, 2018link>
*A journalist, Maham Javaid, described an encounter her cousin had with thesinger. She commended Meesha Shafi for raising her voice.*
This is really sad. When he came to Washington DC for SK fundraiser, I hadhigh school student volunteer crying in a bathroom bcos he molesyed her,women like you protect men like that and vulnerable kids pay the price;awful
— Sofi (@seraphina444) April 19, 2018link>
*A Twitter user, Sofi, claimed that a volunteer was molested by Ali Zafarduring a fundraising event in Washington DC.*
Singer, model and actor Meesha Shafi said Thursday that Ali Zafar sexuallyharassed her.
Zafar says he “categorically” denies the claims and will take legal action.
Even though a number of Pakistani celebrities came forward to talk abouttheir experiences of child sexual abuse as part of the #MeToo movement,this is the first time that a celebrity has named someone.
“Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my ownexperience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence thatpermeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it isharder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo,” shetweeted.
Shafi is a prominent figure in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. She hasalso been vocal about human rights.