Popular Pakistani actress Veena Malik has been given a 26-year prison sentence for "malicious acts" of blasphemy after appearing in an staged wedding scene based on the marriage of Mohammad's daughter. The wedding was part of a daytime television program. It created a uproar of controversy in the Islamic community even though similar scenes had been aired before with little or no notice.The ruling stated, "The malicious acts of the proclaimed offenders ignited the sentiments of all the Muslims of the country and hurt their feelings, which cannot be taken lightly, and there is need to strictly curb such tendency."
Malik, who is currently in Dubai, said she was "shocked" by the news. She said, "We are born Muslims and all I can say is that we have not done any mistakes.We are innocent and that is why I am going to Pakistan to face it. It is not a blasphemy in any way."
It's not clear if the sentence will be enforced. The court order is to be imposed in the city of Gilgit, but control of Gilgit is shared between Pakistan and the India-claimed Kashmir region, so jurisdiction is not certain. Malik would have to return to Pakistan to be imprisoned.
| Don't pull a Perv and return home. Pakistain is not worth it. Dubai is lovely in the summer |
Malik had previously been in trouble with authorities after posing for a series of risque photos for Indian FHM. She was also widely criticized for a tweet saying "India sucks," which she blamed on a former manager.