SC approves Meesha Shafi’s workplace harassment case for hearing

The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan on Monday approved Meesha Shafi’s harassment case against Ali Zafar for hearing. As per details, Pakistan’s top court granted leave to Shafi in her harassment case against Ali Zafar. This means that the SC has granted permission to hear the appeal based on its legal points and will deliberate whether Shafi’s accusations of sexual harassment come under the workplace harassment law.

Furthermore, notices were issued to respondents Zafar and the Punjab Government by a three-judge bench of the apex court led by Justice Mushir Alam.

Supreme Court of Pakistan grants leave in @itsmeeshashafi case! Congrats to SC team Khuwaja Ahmad Hosain & @noorejazch 👏🏾👏🏾
Granting leave to appeal means SC has accepted to hear the case on legal points whether Meesha falls under the jurisdiction of Sexual Harassment Act.

— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) January 11, 2021

Imp to note, Honorable Supreme Court granted leave to appeal in Meesha’s case “As case of first impression”
meaning a case that presents a legal issue that has never been decided by the Supreme Court. #MeToo

— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) January 11, 2021

Meesha explained that the legal issue has never before been decided by the SC.

Case of first impression, a case that presents a legal issue that has never before been decided by the Honorable Supreme Court. https://t.co/44tp74huyK

— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) January 11, 2021

Meesha was represented by senior lawyer Khawaja Ahmad Hosain and Noor Ejaz Chaudhry.

Leave granted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in Meesha Shafi vs The Governor of Punjab to consider whether all women, including students, are covered under Pak's harassment law!

We're very proud today & for Mr. Khwaja Ahmad Hosain for the most brilliant advocacy! pic.twitter.com/EwLlqKzKWr

— Noor Ejaz Chaudhry (@noorejazch) January 11, 2021

The singer’s appeal was earlier rejected by the Lahore High Court (LHC) and Punjab ombudsperson, who ruled that her allegations did not come under the workplace harassment law.

On Sunday, Meesha had informed her fans and followers that the Supreme Court was to hear her appeal on whether a ‘self-employed person’ has the “right, as per the law, to be heard after being harassed and therefore expect justice on merit as an equal citizen”. She had thanked her well-wishers for standing by her and for making her feel “less alone”.

Thread*

Tomorrow, the Supreme Court of Pakistan hears my appeal on whether I, a ‘self employed person’ have a right, as per the law, to be heard after being harassed and therefore expect justice on merit as an equal citizen.

— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) January 10, 2021

Thank you to all of you for making me feel less alone. Thank you to all of you for the solidarity, love and prayers I am receiving. Whatever the outcome tomorrow… I am at peace knowing I tried my best 🙏🏼#SupremeCourtHearing 11-1-21

— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) January 10, 2021

Read more – ‘You don’t want change’: Meesha Shafi condemns critics of #MeToo

Meanwhile, Twitter lauded the SC’s order, terming it a landmark move.

A good day for Pakistani women!!

Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan grants leave in Meesha Shafi case! @Mahamali05 pic.twitter.com/innDo9IIZo

— Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir (@ImaanZHazir) January 11, 2021

Congratulations Meesha! You have done it for every girl who faces harassment and can't get a just hearing because of the technicalities. Way to go girl! ♥️ https://t.co/vYLvHOJUiO

— Minhal Raza (@Minhal512) January 11, 2021

A ray of hope for survivors of sexual harassment. We are all with you@itsmeeshashafi https://t.co/2KoAkDX3Qj

— Sabin Agha (@sabin_journo) January 11, 2021

More power to you, @ItsMeeshaShafi. The fact that you have fought this far means that you have already won.

You stood up for yourself despite knowing that you will be accused of doing it for ulterior motives, you are very brave. This good news feels like a personal victory. https://t.co/OkQQuovNkE

— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) January 11, 2021

Congratulations to @itsmeeshashafi for her win in the SC today. If the civil remedy for harassment means anything it should apply to all women whether self employed or not. Unfair & many times impossible for women to prove harassment to criminal std of proof. #MeeshaShafi

— Sulema Jahangir (@sj244) January 11, 2021

@itsmeeshashafi dil bolay BOOM BOOM

— satyanaas (@inverfremdung) January 11, 2021

Background of the case

In 2018, Meesha first came forward with allegations of sexual harassment against Ali Zafar. She later filed a complaint with the provincial ombudsperson. After her appeal was rejected, she approached Governor Punjab, who upheld the ombudsperson’s decision. Meesha then challenged the Governor’s decision in Lahore High Court which again dismissed Meesha’s case for hearing on grounds that she did not have an employer-employee relationship with the accused.