Pakistani singer Meesha Shafi could face up to three years in jail time if she loses the defamation case filed by actor-singer Ali Zafar.
The case, which stems from a sexual misconduct claim that reportedly occurred nearly three years ago, was pivotal in sparking the #MeToo movement in Pakistan. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing in Pakistan booked Shafi and eight others for their alleged involvement in a smear campaign against Zafar in September last year.
Last week, a judicial magistrate summoned Shafi and another person in a criminal case that has been registered under the cybercrime law following a complaint by Zafar. While the hearing has been adjourned until March 27, the First Information Report that has been filed under section 20 of the Pakistan Electronic Crime Act and section 109 of Pakistan Penal Code for allegedly for running a smear campaign against the complainant on social media, which carries a jail term of up to three years.