Singer Meesha Shafi has filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court challenging a lower court’s decision that ordered her to pay Rs5 million in damages to Ali Zafar in a defamation case linked to sexual harassment allegations. The appeal argues that the trial court erred in law by ruling on defamation while the underlying harassment complaint remains unresolved and pending before the Supreme Court.

Shafi contends that her statements were made as part of a lawful complaint and are protected under qualified privilege. The appeal also challenges the court’s assessment of evidence, arguing that “unproven” allegations should not be treated as false and that the judgment relied on stereotypical assumptions about survivor behaviour.

The case highlights ongoing debates around defamation law, survivor rights, and the intersection of freedom of expression and accountability in Pakistan.