Actors Mamya Shajaffar and Arslan Butt have reached an amicable settlement over a dispute involving allegations of workplace harassment, following an exchange of legal notices. Both parties announced the resolution on their social media accounts, outlining the terms of their agreement.
Settlement Details and Terms
The settlement, signed on June 19, states that "certain misunderstandings, differences and controversy arose between the parties, including matters relating to personal statements, communications, legal notices, complaints, and proceedings initiated or contemplated before various forums and institutions." According to the agreement, Shajaffar and Butt voluntarily decided to resolve the issue "in the presence and with the assistance of respectable elders, well-wishers and mutual mediators."
The document declares that "the matter relating to alleged workplace harassment has been amicably resolved and settled, and the parties have agreed to put the same behind them." It further confirms that "no claim, allegation, ambiguity, misunderstanding, grievance or dispute now remained pending between the parties," according to a joint statement issued by Shajaffar and Butt.
Mutual Forgiveness and Withdrawal
The agreement notes that all past events, allegations, statements, complaints, notices, legal communications, and disputes have been mutually forgiven, withdrawn, settled, and brought to an end. It clarifies that the signing of the agreement should not be "treated as an admission of guilt, liability, misconduct or wrongdoing by either party." Additionally, neither party will make defamatory, hostile, or threatening comments against the other. Both Shajaffar and Butt will cooperate in withdrawing, closing, and not pursuing any complaint, application, notice, claim, or proceeding filed by either party against the other.
Background of the Dispute
The legal dispute began shortly after Shajaffar appeared on a podcast in May, where she claimed that a person identified only as "Arsalan" had made her feel "uncomfortable" on a set. Social media users speculated that Shajaffar was referring to her College Gate co-star Arsalan Khan, but she later clarified that the person was not Khan. Butt’s connection to the allegations stemmed from comments made by podcast host Iffat Omar, who mentioned his name during the discussion.
Following the episode, Butt sent Shajaffar a legal notice over what he described as "false, baseless, malicious and defamatory" remarks, claiming that the statements caused him "serious reputational damage, mental distress, humiliation, and public embarrassment." The notice demanded that Shajaffar retract her statement, remove the allegedly defamatory content, and issue an unconditional public apology and retraction on YouTube. It also asked her to refrain from repeating the allegations.
Shajaffar responded with a counter-notice seeking Rs1 billion in damages, describing Butt’s legal action as false, misconceived, mala fide, and legally defective, allegedly intended to pressure, intimidate, and silence her following what she claimed were acts of harassment.
Resolution and Moving Forward
With the settlement, both parties have agreed to put the matter behind them and move forward without any further legal action. The agreement underscores that all disputes have been resolved amicably, and no wrongdoing has been admitted by either side.
