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After Shafi, more women now accuse Ali Zafar of harassment

After Shafi, more women now accuse Ali Zafar of harassment

India Blooms News Service | @indiablooms | 20 Apr 2018, 05:31 pm

Islamabad, Apr 20 (IBNS): After singer and actor Meesha Shafi alleged that popular Pakistan singer Ali Zafar sexually harassed her, now several other women have made similar allegations against him.

Meesha had tweeted: "Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo."

Now, appreciating her, make-up artist Leena Ghani also shared her 'Mee Too' story when she posted: "Thank you @itsmeeshashafi for your courage and your bravery. It’s never easy. But that should never silence us. I am in total solidarity with you. You are not alone in this because #Metoo #TimesUp #WeBelieveYou."

She also posted a statement on her Twitter page, where she wrote: "In the many years I have known Ali, he has on several occasions crossed boundaries of what is appropriate behaviour between friends."

She further said: "His behaviour displays a clear lack of respect for women. Inappropriate contact, groping, sexual comments should not fall in the grey area between humour and indecency. Comments that would make your skin crawl and make you feel objectified are not to be reduced to 'a joke' such behaviours can leave women feeling embarrassed, small and reduced to the level of entertainment at the hands of a woman. In such cases, women like myself run from a situation and hope to God you never cross paths again. And when by some misfortune you do, you hide from him. Hoping that his sleazy eyes and hands don't find you again."

"Today I speak out because of recent events between Meesha and Ali  and today I have to find the courage to say she isn't and has not been alone," she said.

Describing another enounter, journalist Maham Javaid tweeted: " So @itsmeeshashafi's brave sharing of her experience reminded me of a story about @AliZafarsays from many many years ago, when Ali Zafar tried to kiss my cousin and pull my cousin into a restroom with him. Luckily my cousin's friends were there to push Ali Zafar off."

She said: "This was on a boat on the way to a party at the Yacht Club between 2004-2005. Why don't I remember the date? Bc this is what's crazy: in those days such sexual harassment was such a non issue and simultaneously such a taboo that we hardly spoke about it."

The journalist further said: "We didn't even think of telling anyone, apart from friends, or reporting him because "he's a celebrity, no one would possibly care or listen". And tbh over the years we forgot the story ourselves, until today. Thanks @itsmeeshashafi for reminding us that our stories matters."

Blogger Humna Raza also shared her encounter on Twitter with Ali and recounted how the singer Ali inappropriately touched her at a public event. "@itsmeeshashafi you’re not alone. Please read this. #metoo @merabichrayaar @HaadeaP," Humna Raza tweeted.

Meanwhile, Ali has denied Shafi's claims.

In his statement, he said: "I intend to take this through the courts of law and to address this professionally and seriously rather than to lodge any allegations here."

Meesha Shafi is an actress and singer who have starred in several Pakistani serials.

She has featured in Mira Nair's film The Reluctant Fundamentalist.

Shafi also played the role of a swimmer in the the 2013 Bollywood film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

On the other hand Ali Zafar is a known face in India and has starred in a number of Hindi films including  Dear Zindagi, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Chashme Baddoor, Kill Dil and Total Siyapaa.

 

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