Women In Ali Zafar’s Band Reject Allegations Of Harassment Against Him By Meesha Shafi

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The controversy revolving Ali Zafar and Meesha Shafi just keeps on giving. The allegations laid down against the Coke Studio rock-star by Meesha Shafi have not gone too well with the general public, and Meesha might be next seeing Ali Zafar in the courts of law.

Due to recent incidents, acts of sexual harassment are being taken very seriously in the country. Meesha Shafi had laid down claims that she was physically harassed by Ali Zafar on more than one occasion. Since then, people have picked sides and rallied to their friends/mentors’ aid.

Similarly, two girls who are a part of Ali Zafar’s band, released separate statements on Instagram about what happened between Ali and Meesha, and how Ali’s nature was in general. Here’s what Aqsa Ali had to say:

So as the stories taking turn every minute regard Ali Zafar, MeeshaShafi &#metoo movement, I think as a musician and a woman I should talk about this issue as I was SHOCKED ? right now with this article of Meesha. She said that her conscious doesn’t allow her to say quiet so mine also doesn’t allow me. As I am the part of concert crew, I travel intl and locally with Ali Zafar, and I have seen girls throwing themselves at him and his gentlemanly response to that which is so rare of any rockstar.  balkay we all travel like friends and we work in a very comfy environment. Today finally Meesha tells us what she says  happened to her that Ali harassed her at a jam or did something wrong to her and I cannot stay quiet. I was at this jam session becoz I sing in Ali’s band and so was her manager and our entire band. I am astonished that she would take a lie to this level which so many of us can prove wrong. We all have pictures, we were there and event manager was there and it was a gr8 jam session. I am a woman and I would never allow wrong to any woman. But come on , it’s a serious matter and we should be really clear on everything rather then putting accusations on people and then saying sorry you cannot question any woman it’s wrong. Ali is a genuine person, who treats people around him nicely and has always been a support system for everyone;  Accusing some1 is easy but living with the guilt is difficult. As a woman I felt sad with her rude behaviour towards everyone including the band but more I feel bad that she’s causing disrespect to this Intl movement of women and all of us female musicians and hard working women.

A post shared by aqsaali.official (@imaqsa.ali) on Apr 21, 2018 at 5:21am PDT

“As a woman and a musician, I have to talk about this issue. Meesha said that her conscience (SIC) doesn’t allow her to say quiet – so does mine. At this particular jam session, I was present as a vocalist,” Aqsa wrote on Instagram. “So was Farhan and the entire band along with the event organizer. We had a great jam session. As a woman, if I would have felt that there was any sort of misconduct, I would be the first person to take a stand.”

“Ali is a genuine person who has always been supportive. Accusing someone is easy but living with the guilt is difficult. I was upset with Meesha’s rude behavior towards everyone in the band but I feel worse because she is misusing and disrespecting this movement,” Aqsa said further.

I have been working with Ali Zafar on and off since the past 3 years or so and up until now I’ve been quietly observing the current situation because I am no judge of personal character be it Meesha Shafi or Ali Zafar. However, I stand witness to this particular ‘Jam’ late last year that Meesha mentions in her interview with The News. The whole house band along with myself and another fellow female vocalist were present during this session and whatever interaction took place between the two was in front of at least 10 other people. All I can say is that this particular statement that she makes here is rather odd. I have toured with the Ali Zafar band a lot of times and all my trips have been really pleasant and professional and we’ve spent hours jamming together. It would be great if this important movement isn’t taken for granted or misused for personal reasons stealing limelight from real causes. Rest, time will tell!!

A post shared by Kanza Munir (@kanzamunir) on Apr 21, 2018 at 6:02am PDT

After Aqsa Ali, it was the other woman from Ali’s band, Kanza Munir who presented her two cents: “I have been working with Ali for past three years and I stand witness to this particular incident that Meesha has quoted,” Kanza mentioned on her Instagram post. “I have spent hours jamming with Ali on different tours which have been pleasant and professional. It’s important that this movement is not taken for granted or misused for personal reasons, stealing limelight from real cause.”

While these women have supported Ali and his stance, there are several others who agree with Meesha Shafi. The fest of allegations will keep going on till the matter is settled in court, as both stars continue to refuse speaking to the media about the issue.