ISLAMABAD- Pakistani actor and singer Ali Zafar is in the middle of araging controversy right now. He has been accused by a fellow musician andmany other women of inappropriate touching, vulgar behaviour and sexualharassment.
Ali Zafar has denied all the allegations. He wrote on social media, “Hewrote, “I categorically deny any and all claims of harassment lodgedagainst me by Ms *****. I intend to take this through the courts of law andto address this professionally and seriously rather than to lodge anyallegations here, contesting personal vendetta on social media and in turndisrespecting the movement, my family, the industry and fans. Ultimately, Iam a strong believer that the truth, always prevails.”
Now, Ali Zafar has the support of two women who have worked with him in thepast. One of them wrote on Instagram, “So as the stories taking turn everyminute regard Ali Zafar, ****** &#metoo movement, I think as a musician anda woman I should talk about this issue as I was SHOCKED right now with thisarticle of ******. She said that her conscious doesn’t allow her to sayquiet so mine also doesn’t allow me. As I am the part of concert crew, Itravel intl and locally with Ali Zafar, and I have seen girls throwingthemselves at him and his gentlemanly response to that which is so rare ofany rockstar. balkay we all travel like friends and we work in a very comfyenvironment.”
The writer is a member in Ali Zafar’s team. She further writes, “Todayfinally ****** tells us what she says happened to her that Ali harassed herat a jam or did something wrong to her and I cannot stay quiet. I was atthis jam session becoz I sing in Ali’s band and so was her manager and ourentire band. I am astonished that she would take a lie to this level whichso many of us can prove wrong. We all have pictures, we were there andevent manager was there and it was a gr8 jam session. I am a woman and Iwould never allow wrong to any woman. But come on , it’s a serious matterand we should be really clear on everything rather then putting accusationson people and then saying sorry you cannot question any woman it’s wrong.”
Another woman, who says she has been professionally associated with AliZafar for three years, has also written about the incident. She says, “Istand witness to this particular ‘Jam’ late last year that ****** mentionsin her interview with The News. The whole house band along with myself andanother fellow female vocalist were present during this session andwhatever interaction took place between the two was in front of at least 10other people. All I can say is that this particular statement that shemakes here is rather odd. I have toured with the Ali Zafar band a lot oftimes and all my trips have been really pleasant and professional.”
After a widespread #MeToo campaign in Hollywood, Ali Zafar was the firstbig Pakistani celebrity to be named and shamed for alleged sexualharassment, but with women coming openly in support of Ali Zafar, therewould be apprehensions cast on the success of the movement in South EastAsia.