Ali Zafar was recently accused of sexual harassment by singer, Meesha Shafi, in light of the recent #MeToo movement. As allegation after allegation poured out from the members of the Pakistani entertainment industry, accusing Zafar of sexual misconduct, it seems like he is gaining support from his band mate, Kanza Munir.
Munir states that she was part of the jam session which Meesha Shafi referred to while accusing Zafar on a Pakistani news channel. She denies any unpleasant interaction that might’ve taken place between the two.
“I am no judge of personal character be it Meesha Shafi or Ali Zafar. However, I stand witness to this particular ‘Jam’ late last year that Meesha mentions in her interview with The News. The whole house band along with myself and another fellow female vocalist were present during this session and whatever interaction took place between the two was in front of at least 10 other people. All I can say is that this particular statement that she makes here is rather odd.”
Kanza Munir, Artist
Even a crew member of Zafar’s entourage, Aqsa Ali, defends the pop-star.
“As I am the part of concert crew, I travel internationally and locally with Ali Zafar, and I have seen girls throwing themselves at him and his gentlemanly response to that which is so rare of any rockstar. We all travel like friends and we work in a very comfy environment... I was at this jam session because and so was her manager and our entire band. I am astonished that she would take a lie to this level which so many of us can prove wrong. We all have pictures, we were there and event manager was there and it was a great jam session. I am a woman and I would never allow wrong to any woman.”
Ali Zafar had issued a statement where he ‘categorically denied’ harassing Meesha Shafi on any occasion, and intends to take legal action against, what he calls, slander.
“I categorically deny any and all claims of harassment lodged against me by Ms Shafi. I intend to take this through the courts of law and to address this professionally and seriously rather than to lodge any allegations here, contesting personal vendettas on social media and in turn disrespecting the (#MeToo) movement, my family, the industry and my fans.”
Ali Zafar, Singer/Actor
Ali Zafar issued a statement denying all claims of sexual harassment.
Here is Meesha Shafi’s original statement that kickstarted the #MeToo movement in Pakistan.
“I have been subjected, on more than one occasion, to sexual harassment of a physical nature at the hands of a colleague from my industry: Ali Zafar. These incidences did not happen when I was young, or just entering the industry. This happened to me despite the fact that I am an empowered, accomplished woman who is known for speaking her mind! This happened to me as a mother of two children.”
(The Quint is now on WhatsApp. To receive handpicked stories on topics you care about, subscribe to our WhatsApp services. Just go toTheQuint.com/WhatsAppand hit send.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)
