Heartthrob of millions, the singer and actor with a velvet voice and boy-next-door screen presence, Ali Zafar is under fire. Several women from the Pakistani film fraternity have come out and accused the singer-cum-actor of alleged sexual harassment.
Being dubbed as Pakistan’s #MeToo moment, the complaints against the artiste are piling up. It all started with singer, Meesha Shafi who took to Twitter a few days back to say,
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 pic.twitter.com/iwex7e1NLZ
— Meesha Shafi (@itsmeeshashafi) April 19, 2018
Though the actor has called her out by denying the allegations, more women have now joined Meesha in what is being looked at as the #MeToo moment of the Pakistani entertainment industry.
The actor, who is a well-known face in Bollywood and a well-known pop singer on both sides of the border is now facing the wrath of many more who have come out with their stories of sexual misconduct that they faced from the star.
Also Read: Ali Zafar accused of sexual harassment by Pakistani singer Meesha Shafi
Pakistani journalist, Maham Javaid had this story to share,
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 https://t.co/kBQbBiwyFP
— Maham Javaid (@JMaham) April 19, 2018
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
— Maham Javaid (@JMaham) April 19, 2018
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
— Maham Javaid (@JMaham) April 19, 2018
She was not the only one. Makeup artist, Leena Ghani’s story went this way,
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 pic.twitter.com/hkQ61bqnFH
— Leena (@Leena_Ghani) April 19, 2018
Here’s blogger Humna Raza’s story about Zafar when she met him as a fan,
@itsmeeshashafi you’re not alone. Please read this. #metoo @merabichrayaar @HaadeaP pic.twitter.com/3KzIenHnQn
— Humna Raza (@HumnaRaza) April 19, 2018
Zafar, has “categorically denied all claims of harassment” made by Shafi and said that he “intends to take this through the courts of law”.
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) April 19, 2018