Ali Zafar's bandmates reveal what actually happened at jam session with Meesha Shafi
#MeToo movement has gripped Pakistan ever since singer Meesha Shafi claimed Ali Zafar had sexually harassed her on more than one ocassion. The 36-year old took to Twitter and wrote that she wants to 'break the culture of silence that permeates through our society.' Many woman have lauded her courage to speak out against sexual harassment, some Pakistani women even claimed that they have had similar experience with Ali Zafar. While giving an interview to a news channel Meesha claimed that she ignored it the first time but it happened again in a jam room. She said, “I was jamming with my band in Lahore and the organisers insisted that he was trying to get in touch. It started turning into a thing, and I was being seen as difficult or a diva, I got such feelers. I was avoiding him. I was asked to jam, figure out songs, scale and it happened while we were jamming."
#MeToo movement has gripped Pakistan ever since singer Meesha Shafi claimed Ali Zafar had sexually harassed her on more than one ocassion. The 36-year old took to Twitter and wrote that she wants to 'break the culture of silence that permeates through our society.' Many woman have lauded her courage to speak out against sexual harassment, some Pakistani women even claimed that they have had similar experience with Ali Zafar. While giving an interview to a news channel Meesha claimed that she ignored it the first time but it happened again in a jam room. She said, “I was jamming with my band in Lahore and the organisers insisted that he was trying to get in touch. It started turning into a thing, and I was being seen as difficult or a diva, I got such feelers. I was avoiding him. I was asked to jam, figure out songs, scale and it happened while we were jamming."
Asqa Ali who was Ali Zafar's band member and manager back them gave an eye account of the same jamming session and slammed Meesha's claims. She took to Facebook to defend Ali Zafar and wrote that Ali is a genuine person, who treats people around him nicely and has always been a support system for everyone. She also wrote, " 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. balkay we all travel like friends and we work in a very comfy environment."
Kanza Munir who was also part of this jamming session slammed the charges against Ali Zafar. “I have been working with Ali for past three years and I stand witness to this particular incident that Meesha has quoted,” she posted on Instagram.
Ali Zafar denied Meesha Shafi's allegations and took to Twitter to say that he will take the matter to the court. “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 movement, my family, the industry and my fans. Ultimately I am a strong believer that the truth, always prevails.”