In a major turn for Pakistan’s most high-profile defamation battle, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on January 27, 2026, upheld a long-standing gag order against singer Meesha Shafi.
The ruling bars Shafi from making further public statements or “negative remarks” regarding her sexual harassment allegations against singer Ali Zafar until the final conclusion of the trial.
Preventing a “Parallel Media Trial”Justice Ahmed Nadeem Arshad dismissed Shafi’s appeal against the 2019 restraining order, emphasizing that repeated public commentary on a sub judice (under judicial consideration) matter could compromise the integrity of the trial.
Public statements during final arguments could lead to an unfair “parallel media trial.”Irreparable Harm: The judge remarked that for a public figure, a reputation damaged by unproven allegations cannot be fully restored by monetary compensation alone.
While freedom of speech is a fundamental right, the court ruled it must be balanced against an individual’s right to dignity.
A Countdown to the Verdict
Recognizing that the case has spanned nearly eight years, the LHC has issued a strict 30-day deadline for the trial court to reach a final verdict. The case is currently at the stage of final arguments, meaning a definitive judgment on Ali Zafar’s Rs1 billion defamation suit is expected by late February 2026.
| Year | Event | Details |
| 2018 | The Allegation | Meesha Shafi accuses Ali Zafar of sexual harassment on Twitter, sparking Pakistan’s #MeToo movement. |
| 2018 | Defamation Suit | Ali Zafar files a Rs1 billion suit, categorically denying all claims. |
| 2019 | First Gag Order | A trial court restrains Shafi from making public statements about the controversy. |
| 2020 | FIA Probe | The FIA declares Shafi and others guilty of a coordinated smear campaign. |
| 2021 | SC Intervention | The Supreme Court allows Shafi’s counter-suit to proceed, recognizing her right as a “self-employed” person. |
| 2026 | LHC Finality | LHC upholds the gag order and sets a 30-day window for a final judgment. |
