Sohail Javed wins defamation case, Jami sentenced to prison

The long-running legal feud between renowned ad filmmakers Sohail Javed and Jamshed Mahmood Raza, better known as Jami, has reached its conclusion. On Tuesday, a Karachi additional sessions court sentenced Jami to two years in prison for defamation. He was arrested on the spot and transferred to Karachi Central Jail to begin serving his sentence.

Jami’s arrest follows a years-long dispute stemming from a 2019 incident at the Lahooti Melo Festival. During the event, Jami publicly read out a letter from an anonymous survivor of sexual assault. While he never named the alleged abuser, he referred to them as a “music video and TVC director.” His posts on social media following the event led many to identify Sohail Javed, especially after Javed himself commented under one of the posts.

Javed contended that by referencing his children in the speech, Jami had crossed a line, endangering his family and permanently tarnishing his reputation. He demanded an “unconditional public apology on the same forum” used to share the original allegations. Jami’s legal team rejected the demand, denying all accusations.

In response, Javed filed a defamation lawsuit, seeking the removal of Jami’s posts and demanding Rs. 500 million in damages for reputational harm and mental distress.

Throughout the trial, Jami maintained his innocence. However, the court ruled that his defense lacked “evidentiary backing” and that he failed to provide credible proof that he had no prior knowledge of the letter’s contents. He was convicted under Section 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code for defamation and fined Rs. 10,000 in addition to his prison sentence.

Following the verdict, Sohail Javed shared a statement on social media, thanking his legal team for their relentless efforts. He called the ruling “a lesson for anyone who chooses the path of lies, innuendos, and insinuations,” adding, “This is just the beginning. More to follow, one battle at a time.”

Jami's counsel told Nukta they plan to appeal the arrest. "This was a criminal defamation case filed by Sohail Javed against Jami, based on a social media post. The Court convicted Jami under Sections 499 and 500 PPC. In my view, the judgment is not tenable, and there are good chances of relief on appeal. As for a settlement, I can’t comment, and it would depend on the willingness of both parties."

In addition to directing numerous TV commercials and music videos, Jami has produced and directed feature films, including O21, Moor, and Motorcycle Girl. Sohail Javed, meanwhile, has an extensive body of work to his credit, including hit music videos and acclaimed drama serials.