After Pakistani actress-model-singer accused actor Ali Zafar of sexual harassment -- a claim he has denied -- more women have come forward with similar allegations.
The women, while lending support Shafi, tweeted saying she was not alone and they had faced similar experiences, reported Geo News.
Make-up artist Leena Ghani thanked Shafi for being brave enough to speak out.
"Seeing Meesha's courage it's impossible for me to not speak now, not only in support of her but also to say she's not alone. In the many years I have known Ali, he has on several occasions crossed boundaries of what is appropriate behaviour between friends," Ghani wrote.
So @itsmeeshashafi's brave sharing of her experience reminded me of a story about @AliZafarsays from many many years ago, when Ali Zafar tried to kiss my cousin and pull my cousin into a restroom with him. Luckily my cousin's friends were there to push Ali Zafar off https://t.co/kBQbBiwyFP
— Maham Javaid (@JMaham) April 19, 2018
She elucidated on how Ali's behaviour displays a "clear lack of respect for women".
"Inappropriate contact, groping, sexual comments should not fall in the grey area between humour and indecency. Comments that would make your skin crawl and make you feel objectified are not to be reduced to 'a joke' such behaviours can leave women feeling embarrassed, small and reduced to the level of entertainment at the hands of a woman.
This was on a boat on the way to a party at the Yacht Club between 2004-2005. Why don't I remember the date? Bc this is what's crazy: in those days such sexual harassment was such a non issue and simultaneously such a taboo that we hardly spoke about it
— Maham Javaid (@JMaham) April 19, 2018
"In such cases, women like myself run from a situation and hope to God you never cross paths again. And when by some misfortune you do, you hide from him. Hoping that his sleazy eyes and hands don't find you again. His hands don't make their way up and down your waist or hold you too tight while you desperately try to wiggle and run," Ghani wrote.
Ghani said Shafi "isn't and has not been alone".
"The memories of the times when Ali thought he could get away by saying vulgar things still disgust me," she added.
Thank you @itsmeeshashafi for your courage and your bravery. It’s never easy. But that should never silence us. I am in total solidarity with you. You are not alone in this because #Metoo #TimesUp #WeBelieveYou pic.twitter.com/hkQ61bqnFH
— Leena (@Leena_Ghani) April 19, 2018
In Solidarity with @itsmeeshashafi All the people talking about the allegations as an attempt at "sasti shohrat" (cheap publicity) must be Tripping. Meesha Shafi is a Bona Fide Rockstar Artist & Icon. Taking Insults from the Patriarchal public is not the Road to Fame or Fun. Pls.
— Freeha #Yemen #KefayaWar (@NamiDaanam) April 19, 2018
We didn't even think of telling anyone, apart from friends, or reporting him because "he's a celebrity, no one would possibly care or listen". And tbh over the years we forgot the story ourselves, until today. Thanks @itsmeeshashafi for reminding us that our stories matters
— Maham Javaid (@JMaham) April 19, 2018
I also realise how difficult it must be for the abusers family to hear such things. So of course my heart goes out to them to. This is not a reflection on you. And while we feel your pain. We need to stand by the victims/survivors of abuse.
— Meera Ghani (@MeeraGhani) April 19, 2018
A journalist named Maham Javaid described an incident from "many many years ago" when Ali tried to kiss her cousin and pull her into a restroom with him.
The journalist thanked Shafi for "reminding us that our stories matter".
Blogger Humna Raza also recounted when he inappropriately touched her at a public event.
Thank you @itsmeeshashafi for your courage and your bravery. It’s never easy. But that should never silence us. I am in total solidarity with you. You are not alone in this because #Metoo #TimesUp #WeBelieveYou pic.twitter.com/hkQ61bqnFH
— Leena (@Leena_Ghani) April 19, 2018
On Thursday evening, Shafi sparked Pakistan's #MeToo moment when she took to Twitter to allege Ali had sexually harassed her on more than one occasion. This is the first incident of a Pakistani celebrity speaking out about a colleague.
However, Ali on Thursday denied Shafi's claim, saying he will take this allegation through the courts of law.
"I am a strong believer that the truth always prevails," he tweeted.
The sick mentality of those commenting on an issue as serious as sexual harassment as casually as they are just shows where the root of this problem exists - in our minds. We will continue to breed harassers for as long as we continue to desensitise this issue.
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) April 20, 2018
Although Pakistan's entertainment industry has remained largely mum on the issue, actor-writer Osman Khalid Butt and model-actress Urwa Hocane have tweeted in support of Shafi, reported Geo News.
Meanwhile, actor Maya Ali posted on Instagram saying she respects Ali and "we shouldn't judge anyone's character" until the truth comes out.
We’re all praising Beyoncé’s sheer talent, but Beyoncé is more than talent. She’s practice. She’s endurance. She’s calculation. She’s a lifetime of honing craftsmanship.
— Ivie Ani (@ivieani) April 15, 2018
When a man tells me he's looking for a 'real woman' I scurry away because I'm actually three owls in a raincoat AND HE MUSTN'T FIND OUT.
— Aimee (@Mimiification) July 1, 2017
Speak up sisters, speak up. Time to end the impunity, time to end the silence. Time is up for sexual harassers or predators. If you can’t call out those amongst you then don’t bother tweeting #MeToo https://t.co/CJC8SZZXrM
— Meera Ghani (@MeeraGhani) April 19, 2018
