Celebrities

Celebrities react as court rules in Ali Zafar’s favor in defamation case

Celebrities and other prominent figures are divided following a Lahore court’s verdict in the defamation case between Ali Zafar and Meesha Shafi, a split clearly reflected in the wave of opposing reactions across social media.

On Tuesday, the court ordered Shafi to pay Rs5 million in damages to Zafar, a case that originated from sexual harassment allegations she made against him in 2018.

The ruling has drawn strong criticism from many, including actor Iffat Omar, who voiced her support for Shafi and highlighted the repercussions faced by those who have spoken out. “So the final verdict from the session court of Meesha Shafi vs. Ali Zafar defamation case came out. I was not only a primary character witness, I knew both families and both children very closely. If I took a side, it was with 100% certainty and belief,” she stated in a social media post.

Linking the verdict to broader consequences, she alleged that people were “silenced, pressured, bought and scared”.

The entire support system is broken, Omar said, adding that it was not just Shafi’s loss.

Similar concerns were raised by journalist Sabahbano Malik, who shared a personal account to stress her point.

“A few years ago I was approached by a TV channel to do an entertainment industry focused talk show. On the very first day for the interview I walked in on about 4-5 men going through my Instagram profile casted on the TV on the wall. They quickly closed it but – ick.”

She went on to talk about victim blaming and said, “Women are not safe here. And even if that court did the most unsurprising thing they could do as a Pakistani court – punish a woman, I’m still proud and inspired as hell that women stood ten toes down for the truth. For each other. For what they believe in.”

“Men have no proof they did not harass or grope us. Men will always be trusted,” she said and questioned standards of evidence, writing, “How do I prove to you that the man who assaulted me in a crowd did? You want video? You want me sporting bruises to prove that I fought?”

Activist Maheen Ghani commented through a legal lens, stating that the outcome reflected evidentiary standards rather than the entirety of lived experiences.

“This isn’t just a verdict, it’s a message. That the burden of proof is heavier than the cost of silence, and for many women, the courtroom will feel less like protection and more like exposure. Every woman watching is taking notes, not on justice, but on consequence. If speaking up leads to punishment, what exactly is the system protecting? Stay strong.”

On the other hand, a number of public figures also welcomed the court’s decision, framing it as a matter of proof and due process.

Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry congratulated Zafar, writing, “Huge congratulations @AliZafarsays. I never doubted your innocence.”

“It is high time the Geo anchors who spearheaded the campaign against you take responsibility and apologize,” he added.

ARY News President Ammad Yousaf also emphasised the distinction between legal proceedings and public discourse. “This case isn’t about men vs women it’s about evidence vs allegations,” he said and added that those “who misuse such serious claims must be held accountable strictly”.

Journalist Iqrar Ul Hassan echoed a similar position. “Ali Zafar has won the case of sexual harassment allegations leveled against him by Meesha Shafi. In such cases, women like this should be made an example of.”

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Celebrities

Aiman Khan, Muneeb Butt Allegedly Named Among High-Profile Clients by ‘Cocaine Queen’

The investigation surrounding Karachi’s alleged drug network took another dramatic turn after Anmol, widely known by the alias “Pinky,” reportedly began making major revelations during her three-day physical remand.

According to emerging reports, the suspect has provided investigators with details about an extensive narcotics operation that allegedly catered to influential circles across the city. During questioning, Pinky reportedly claimed that she maintained a customer base of nearly 100 to 150 regular clients, including individuals linked to showbiz, politics, law enforcement, and the legal fraternity.

Among the names she allegedly mentioned during interrogation was Pakistani actor Muneeb Butt, who is married to actress Aiman Khan. She also reportedly named politician Sadiq Iftikhar and his wife, along with lawyer Rana Nasir, his brother, and a model identified as Sara.

Authorities have yet to publicly confirm the allegations against the individuals named, and no formal charges against them have been announced so far.

During the investigation, Pinky allegedly disclosed that her narcotics business generated more than Rs20 million every month in Karachi. She further claimed that over Rs10 million were regularly paid as bribes to certain officials in order to keep operations running smoothly and avoid interference.

Investigators are also said to be examining claims regarding the network’s supply routes. According to the suspect, narcotics were transported from Lahore to Karachi through intercity bus services, a method allegedly chosen to avoid attracting suspicion during transit.

The inquiry reportedly uncovered additional details connected to financial transactions linked with the operation. Pinky allegedly told officials that because her national identity card had been blocked, bank accounts operating under the names “Sameer” and “Zeeshan” were being used for financial dealings. Authorities are also probing transactions carried out through Easypaisa and a franchise located in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

Officials further revealed that two SIM cards allegedly used by the suspect were registered under the names Afzal and Sabira Bibi, adding another layer to the ongoing investigation.

The case has quickly become one of the most talked-about stories on Pakistani social media, with the public closely following every development as authorities continue interrogations and digital tracing efforts. Investigators are expected to widen the scope of the inquiry in the coming days as more names and operational details surface.

Celebrities

Hina Altaf Reveals Facing Grave Danger At Work

Hina Altaf is an actress who started her career as a teenager. She was initially a VJ but she later shifted towards acting. She has not looked back since and she has appeared in many big dramas. She is very blunt and brave and she says what is on her mind without caring about the consequences. She has once again shown bravery and she should be supported and applauded.

The actress is working on another of her dramas where she faced a very dangerous situation. Hina Altaf has once again made people pay attention to harassment which women face while at work. She is brave enough to take to social media and shared what went down.

Hina took to Instagram and revealed that a man on a set made her feel extremely uncomfortable. This was not a safe situation and she knew it as soon as the man spoke to her. She took herself out of that situation and reported the behaviour to the production house.

The internet is reacting to Hina Altaf’s statement and they are showing support to her. One person wrote, “Name and shame him. You are so brave.” Another added, “Women always have to go through this.” One said, “Aurat hona azab bana diya hai.”

Celebrities

Faran Tahir reflects on gaps in local entertainment industry

Faran Tahir, recognized for his parts in Iron Man and Star Trek, recently gave an honest account during a podcast about his move back to Pakistan, the limitations he sees in the domestic entertainment sector, and his ambition to produce more substantive narratives anchored in literary and cultural heritage.

The actor shared that his choice to return was motivated primarily by family obligations, especially the need to care for his elderly parents, noting that age-related conditions like dementia demand close, personal attention.

Even with his extensive Hollywood background, Tahir admitted he entered Pakistan’s entertainment scene as a relative outsider. He dedicated almost a full year to simply observing the industry’s inner workings before pursuing projects, preferring to learn its unique environment rather than impose assumptions from his international career. Drawing comparisons with Western models, he highlighted the lack of structured unions, residual income, and health safeguards for artists in Pakistan, advocating for stronger protections and improved conditions for all industry professionals.

In discussing his artistic process, Tahir explained that he avoids reducing characters to simple heroes or villains, instead seeking out their emotional and psychological layers to deliver performances that feel authentic and nuanced. Looking forward, he touched on his forthcoming project, Inspector Jamshed, expressing a wish to reintroduce younger viewers to Urdu literary classics and Pakistan’s rich storytelling history. He also confirmed his shift into production, disclosing that he is actively developing two film scripts.

Tahir’s artistic lineage runs deep. His grandfather was the esteemed playwright and author Imtiaz Ali Taj, his father is the revered industry veteran Naeem Tahir, his late mother Yasmeen Tahir was also involved in the arts, and his brother Ali Tahir remains one of Pakistan’s most prominent actors.