In a significant legal development, female anchor Tanzeela Mazhar has been acquitted by the court in the defamation case filed against her by Agha Masood Shorush, the former director of current affairs at PTV.
Mazhar, expressing her relief on Twitter, shared that the prolonged legal battle, spanning seven years, was not just about winning or losing but upholding a crucial principle. She emphasized her commitment to exposing systemic errors and thanked the supportive community in Pakistan that values women’s rights and dignity. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, Mazhar acknowledged the assistance of her lawyers who provided pro bono representation.
The defamation suit was initiated by Agha Masood Shorush, who previously faced accusations in the PTV sexual harassment scandal in February 2017. Tanzeela Mazhar and her colleague, Yashfeen Jamal, were named as defendants in the case. The legal proceedings originated from their public allegations against Shorush in January 2017, detailing unwelcome advances and misconduct dating back to 2009.
This is how women r being discussed on PTVwhatsapp group , hv a look@AK_Forty7 @kashanakmal @mak_asif @anaulhaq @abualeeha @faizanlakhani pic.twitter.com/FHnPmZtnac
— Tanzeela Mazhar (@TenzilaMazhar) January 18, 2017
While Shorush vehemently denied all allegations, terming them baseless and defamatory, both Tanzeela Mazhar and Yashfeen Jamal had courageously come forward to shed light on the issue of harassment within the media industry. The court’s decision now marks a notable chapter in their quest for justice.
