ARY UK Apologizes to Meesha Shafi in Defamation Case

Singer Meesha Shafi won a defamation case in the UK against ARY’s broadcaster New Vision TV (NVTV), which settled the matter out of court and issued a public apology. NVTV admitted its broadcast had caused a “misunderstanding” and apologized for any distress caused to Meesha.

The case stemmed from a December 5, 2020, report aired on ARY UK. In 2023, the UK High Court ruled the broadcast was defamatory, stating the channel falsely claimed Meesha had deliberately ignored Pakistani court orders over two years. The court emphasized that portraying her as someone who repeatedly defies legal authority could significantly damage her reputation.

The broadcast clip presented in court alleged Meesha returned to Pakistan to work but avoided court appearances. The High Court found this depiction harmful, noting that such statements could lower her standing among the public.

The court also recognized Meesha as a prominent Pakistani celebrity and a vocal advocate for women’s rights. In 2018, she accused fellow singer Ali Zafar of sexual harassment, sparking one of Pakistan’s most prominent #MeToo cases. Zafar later filed a Rs1 billion defamation suit against her, which she countered with her own.

Though her initial harassment claim was dismissed in 2019 on technical grounds, the Supreme Court of Pakistan agreed in 2021 to hear her appeal regarding the case’s relevance under workplace harassment laws.

Also Read: Ali Zafar’s Mother Unveils the Untold Struggles Amid Meesha Shafi Controversy