scorecardresearch
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Support Our Journalism
HomeWorldPakistani women write to Imran Khan against award to Ali Zafar, cite...

Pakistani women write to Imran Khan against award to Ali Zafar, cite sexual abuse charges

Ali Zafar has multiple allegations of sexual harassment against him, including one by Pakistani actor-singer Meesha Shafi last year.

Follow Us :
Text Size:

New Delhi: Several women’s organisations in Pakistan have come together to raise concerns over actor-singer Ali Zafar being conferred with the country’s prestigious Pride of Performance award, citing multiple allegations of sexual harassment against him.

In a letter, a copy of which was accessed by ThePrint, addressed to Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Dr Arif Alvi Wednesday (19 August), the women have said, “The decision by the office of the President to confer the Pride of Performance to Ali Zafar has deeply concerned us, as Mr Zafar stands accused of multiple charges of harassment in ongoing cases. Given the distinct accolade the award entails, we do not wish to see its legacy tarnished.”

The letter has been signed by WAF Lahore, WAF Karachi, Tehreek-e-Niswan, Aurat March Lahore, Aurat March Karachi, Aurat March Multan and Aurat Azaadi March.

According to reports, Zafar has many allegations of sexual harassment against him, including one by Pakistani actor-singer Meesha Shafi. Several women had come forward with complaints of sexual misconduct against the singer after Shafi’s claim.

Zafar, who has starred in Bollywood movies such Tere Bin Laden, had “categorically denied” these allegations.

While the Lahore High Court had dismissed Shafi’s sexual harassment charges, the case is reportedly pending in the Pakistan Supreme Court as she has filed an appeal challenging the high court’s dismissal. A defamation lawsuit filed by Shafi against Zafar is also reportedly pending in the Additional District Court of Lahore.

Ambreen Qureshi, Zafar’s lawyer, however released a statement Thursday evening saying there were no cases against the actor in court. “The Supreme Court has not yet granted leave to file an appeal against the judgment of the honourable Lahore court,” the statement read.

It also said, “The so called defamation case by Ms Shafi has also been stayed by the court till the decision of Ali Zafar’s defamation case of crores against her is decided.”

The letter by the women’s groups, meanwhile, has stated that while “each person is innocent until proven guilty”, Zafar being conferred with the award gives an impression that Pakistan “inadvertently stands behind men accused of sexual misconduct”.

The women’s organisations have also called the decision to award Zafar “insensitive” as it moves to “invalidate” the testimonies of multiple women and “promotes a culture of sexual misconduct”.

A government award, Pride of Performance nominations are announced annually on 14 August, the Pakistan Independence Day. Besides Zafar, some of the other winners this year are Pakistani actors Humayun Saeed and Sakina Samo, and religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel.

President Alvi will present the recipients of Pride of Performance Award on 23 March 2021.

Zafar had taken to Twitter to make the announcement.


Also read: Pakistan women journalists say they face online abuse by officials for criticising Imran govt


Reconsider award to Ali Zafar

Through the letter, the women have urged the Pakistani government to reconsider Zafar’s selection for the award and defer it until all legal matters against the singer are closed.

The women’s organisations have also reminded the Pakistani government that both its National Commission on Status of Women and the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women have been headless for over a year.

They have asked the government to consider making sexual harassment at workplaces as its top priority. The letter also notes how most workplaces in the country do not display the Code of Conduct on Sexual Harassment or have standing committees to address matters.


Also read: After lawyers, Pakistan elite police squad poses for selfie with killer of blasphemy accused


 

Subscribe to our channels on YouTube, Telegram & WhatsApp

Support Our Journalism

India needs fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. ThePrint – with exceptional reporters, columnists and editors – is doing just that.

Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.

Whether you live in India or overseas, you can take a paid subscription by clicking here.

Support Our Journalism

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular