LHC rejects request to halt Ali Zafar defamation ruling

The Lahore High Court has declined to suspend the defamation judgment in favour of Pakistani singer and actor Ali Zafar in his case against fellow singer Meesha Shafi.

However, the court granted limited interim relief concerning the damages awarded by the trial court.

Under the order issued on May 4, 2026, Shafi would have to deposit 50% of the decretal amount with the Deputy Registrar (Judicial) and submit a surety bond for the remaining 50% within two months for the conditional suspension of the damages to take effect. The appeal against the trial court’s decision remains pending.

The dispute dates back to 2018, when Shafi publicly accused Zafar of sexual harassment. Zafar denied the allegation and later filed a defamation case.

In March 2026, a trial court partially ruled in his favour, finding the allegations false and defamatory and issuing an injunction against their repetition.

Shafi challenged the decision before the Lahore High Court and sought suspension of the decree while her appeal was being heard. The High Court did not grant a blanket suspension, and its interim order was limited to the damages component.

The High Court has yet to decide the appeal on its merits, meaning the interim order is not a final determination of the dispute. Zafar’s side has also maintained that the required payment and surety conditions were not fulfilled within the stipulated period.

The eventual decision on the appeal will determine whether the trial court’s judgment is upheld, modified or overturned.