Pakistani celebrities never miss an opportunity to make big statements about how they will handle sexual harassment cases. Their entertainment website is filled with reports about developments related to #MeToo incidents around the world.
But when it comes to #MeToo cases, the picture is quite the opposite.
The Pakistani film industry has completely neglected to acknowledge the harassment case filed against star Ali Zafar.
In April 2018, singer Meesha Shafi revealed that she had been sexually harassed by Ali Zafar.
Singers Meesha Shafi and Ali Zafar were fellow bandmates.
According to the Pakistan Tribune newspaper, the mother of two took to Twitter to share her experience. Shafi said she shares her story because she believes speaking out about such issues will break the culture of silence.
“I suffered physical sexual harassment at the hands of my industry colleague Ali Zafar,” the singer said in a photo posted on Twitter. This didn’t happen when I was young or just starting out in the industry. This happened despite the fact that I am a capable and accomplished woman known to speak her mind! “This happened to me, a mother of two.”
Missha, who is also a brand spokesperson for L’Oréal Paris, said it was a very traumatic experience for her and her family. She said, “Ali is someone I have known and performed on stage with for a long time. I feel betrayed by his actions and attitude and I know I am not alone.”
Ali denied the allegations and filed a defamation suit against Shafi.
Amid the high profile #Metoo, some restraint was expected from the Pakistani film industry. But no, Pakistan Lux Style Awards (LSA) has announced that Ali Zafar has been nominated for the Best Actor Award 2019.
The reaction from Pakistani celebrities was shocking.
Celebrities and winners of Pakistan’s Lux Style Awards left the venue to protest Ali Zafar’s inclusion. In response, the organizers released a shocking statement saying that it was not related to the MeToo incident in Pakistan.
These reactions and remarks are considered to have dealt a major blow to the Metoo movement in Pakistan, which is already evaluated as one of the worst countries in terms of women’s safety and women’s human rights.
Daily Times, Pakistan Reports say it all started when model Eman Suleman made the announcement on her Instagram account. “The 27-year-old Pakistani model, who is also a prominent nominee at the award show, has taken a stand against allegations of sexual harassment,” the newspaper reported.
Here’s a video:
A few days later, Meesha Shafi left the event, posting on Twitter:
Next was the famous Pakistani coach Jami. Not only was he eliminated from the awards ceremony, he threw three of his LSA awards on the street in protest. He also posted this on social media.
The trend has since continued in Pakistan and as per the last report, nearly nine celebrities have pulled out of the event.
Here are some of the names that have been withdrawn (the list is still developing as more people withdraw): They are Eman Suleman, Meesha Shafi, Rubbab Ali, The Sketches, Generation, Saima Bargfrede and Fatima Nasir.
Let’s hope Pakistan’s so-called celebrities clean up their own houses before lecturing others abroad.
Category: Perspective
