In Major Breakthrough, SC Agrees To Hear Meesha Shafi’s Sexual Harassment Complaint

In what is being described as a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has granted leave in singer Meesha Shafi’s sexual harassment case, meaning that the apex court has accepted her complaint for hearing.

A notification has also been sent to Ali Zafar, the accused and Punjab government.

Meesha’s case was earlier dismissed by the Lahore High Court on grounds that she did not have an employer-employee relationship with the accused. The case was therefore not being heard on its merits and demerits and women rights activists had demanded broader interpretation of the law to ensure that the scope of workplace harassment law is expanded.

The SC’s decision has been welcomed by activists who termed it an important first step.

Leave granted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in Meesha Shafi vs The Governor of Punjab to consider whether all women, including students, are covered under Pak's harassment law!

We're very proud today & for Mr. Khwaja Ahmad Hosain for the most brilliant advocacy! pic.twitter.com/EwLlqKzKWr

— Noor Ejaz Chaudhry (@noorejazch) January 11, 2021

A good day for Pakistani women!!

Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan grants leave in Meesha Shafi case! @Mahamali05 pic.twitter.com/innDo9IIZo

— Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir (@ImaanZHazir) January 11, 2021

Supreme Court of Pakistan grants leave in @itsmeeshashafi case! Congrats to SC team Khuwaja Ahmad Hosain & @noorejazch 👏🏾👏🏾
Granting leave to appeal means SC has accepted to hear the case on legal points whether Meesha falls under the jurisdiction of Sexual Harassment Act.

— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) January 11, 2021