Pakistan's #MeToo moment: Meesha Shafi accuses Ali Zafar of sexual harassment

KARACHI: Ali Zafar has denied all the allegations of sexual harassment leveled against him by fellow Pakistani singer Meesha Shafi.

Renowned singer Shafi, in a social media post Thursday, accused Ali Zafar 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," she wrote in a Twitter post.

She said that the singer harassed her on multiple occasions.

Later, rejecting all the claims made my Shafi, Zafar said "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".

Meesha Shafi received overwhelming on support social media for speaking out against this culture of harassment.

"I have been subjected, on more than one occasion, to sexual harassment of physical nature at the hands of a colleague from my industry: Ali Zafar," she added.

"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."

"Ali is someone who I have known for many years and someone who I have shared the stage with. I feel betrayed by his behavior and his attitude and I know that I am not alone.

Today I am breaking the 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".