Meesha Shafi fined for delaying tactics

LAHORE: Additional District and Sessions Judge Shakeel Ahmad on Wednesday imposed Rs10,000 fine on singer Meesha Shafi for using delaying tactics in a defamation suit filed against her by singer-turned actor Ali Zafar.

The court imposed fine on Meesha as her counsel was again absent from the proceedings. The court has given a final chance to Meesha and adjourned the hearing by April 17.

Earlier, the LHC had suspended the order of the district and sessions judge who had directed to conclude the suit by April 15. LHC Justice Masood Jahangir had directed the trial court to conclude the case in three months. According the details, Ali Zafar filed the defamation suit worth Rs1 billion against Meesha Shafi on charges of defaming the singer through allegations of harassment. The counsel for Ali Zafar contended before the court that Meesha Shafi defamed the repute of his client through baseless allegations. The counsel pleaded the court to direct Meesha to apologise from his client and pay Rs1 billion to his client which include Rs20 million for mental torture, Rs80 million for loss of contracts, Rs400 million for loss of business opportunities and Rs500 million for loss of reputation. Previously, Ali had sent a legal notice to Meesha Shafi stating that her tweets and an article in national dailies were false, slanderous and defamatory statements.