The Lahore High Court has conditionally suspended the execution of a lower court’s verdict that imposed Rs. 5 million in damages in the defamation case filed by singer Ali Zafar against singer Meesha Shafi.
The court has also issued a notice to Ali Zafar, seeking his reply.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad heard the appeal filed by Mesha Shafi.
During the proceedings, the court directed that Rs. 2.5 million be deposited with the court while security worth Rs. 2.5 million be furnished, thereby granting conditional relief against the trial court’s order.
Counsel for the appellant, Barrister Saqib Jilani, appeared on behalf of Meesha Shafi, while Ali Sabtain Fazli represented Ali Zafar.
Meesha Shafi’s lawyer argued that the client was willing to deposit part of the amount and provide surety for the remaining sum, which persuaded the court to grant conditional suspension of the damages award.
However, the court rejected the request to suspend the trial court’s restraining order that barred Meesha Shafi from making public statements against Ali Zafar. The bench observed that this issue would be decided after hearing the other side.
During the hearing, Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad remarked that if Meesha Shafi is not already making any statements, she should have no objection to such an order.
The court issued notice to Ali Zafar and adjourned further proceedings.
The case remains one of the most high-profile defamation disputes in the country, involving an ongoing legal battle between two prominent artists.