The first harassment case between two well-known celebrities, which continued to grip the showbiz industry as well as media attention for eight years, has finally reached a key decision.

This is a long-running dispute between singers Ali Zafar and Meesha Shafi, which was seen as the starting point of the #MeToo movement in Pakistan

A sessions court on Tuesday ordered the 44-year-old vocalist to pay Rs5 million in damages to the  45-year-old musician-cum-actor in a defamation case that began in 2018. 

The case followed the Chori Chori singer’s public allegations of sexual harassment from a jamming session against her fellow artist.

In a short order, Additional District and Sessions Judge Asif Hayat said that Shafi’s April 2018 social media post and an interview “contain false, defamatory and injurious imputations… which have not been proved to be true or made for public good, and thus constitute actionable defamation.”

The court said the Tere Bin Laden actor deserved compensation for harm to his “reputation, dignity and mental well-being”, but added that larger claims for special damages were not proven. 

It also ruled that the  Hot Mango Chutney Sauce singer must not repeat the allegations in any form.

Outside the court, the Teefa in Trouble lead’s lawyer said the ruling showed that claims must be backed by evidence. “Reputations could not be damaged on the basis of unproven and defamatory claims,” he said.

But Meesha’s counsel argued the verdict was “contrary to law” and warned it may discourage victims from speaking out. 

He said the decision could have a “chilling effect” on those raising harassment claims.

The case stretched over nearly eight years, with 284 hearings and multiple judges. It also remains tied to ongoing proceedings in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, where related appeals are still pending.