With recent events being pivotal for women’s rights after accusations of sexual misconduct further sparking the #MeToo campaign, women took to social media greatly to highlight experiences of abuse.
And now, Pakistani singer and actress Meesha Shafi has alleged Ali Zafar sexually harassed her on more than one occasion. The singer took to Twitter to speak up about her experience stating “my conscience does not allow me to be silent anymore.”
“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,” Shafi tweeted.
In her statement posted on Twitter, she wrote, “As a woman, a public figure and a mother, I have always felt strongly about using my voice to encourage and support our youth who look up to me especially girls, who dream of carving their own path in Pakistan.”
Shafi continued, “Despite having a voice, there are some issues that are very difficult to speak about as a woman, especially sexual harassment.”
“If this can happen to someone like me, an established artist, then it can happen to any young woman hoping to break into the industry and that concerns me gravely.”
She added, “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.”
Shafi who has featured prominently in Coke Studio further said, “It has been an extremely traumatic experience for me and my family. Ali is someone I have known for many years and someone who I have shared the stage with. I feel betrayed by his behaviour and his attitude and I know that I am not alone.”
“Today I am breaking this culture of silence and I hope that by doing that I am setting an example for young women in my country to do the same. We only have our voices and the time has come to use them.”
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
Being one of the most well-known singers in Pakistan, Ali Zafar could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts to contact him.
Do you really think Ali Zafar could have attempted such a misconduct? Share your views and let us know. For further updates, keep following FHM Pakistan.
