The Federalist: Actress gets 26 years in jail for "blasphemy" in Pakistan

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Actress gets 26 years in jail for "blasphemy" in Pakistan

Freedom of speech and thought do not exist under Islam

An actress was sentenced to 26 years in jail by a Pakistani anti-terrorism court for "malicious acts" of blasphemy, the U.K.s' Independent reports.

Veena Malik, along with her husband Asad Bashir Khan Khattak and Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, the owner of the network that aired the "blasphemous" television program, have been given 104 years combined in prison by the Pakistani court.

The offending program aired several months ago and features a couple reenacting their wedding vows based on the marriage of the Prophet Mohammed's daughter.

Announcing the verdict on Tuesday, judge Raja Shahbaz ordered the police make arrests under Section 19 (10) of the Anti-Terrorism Act in case of disobedience, as well as sell the properties of the offendants.

“After evaluation of the entire evidence of the prosecution, I am of the considered opinion that the prosecution has proved its case against proclaimed offenders and absconders,” Shahbaz said.

The order reads: “The malicious acts of the proclaimed offenders ignited the sentiments of all the Muslims of the country and hurt the feelings, which cannot be taken lightly and there is need to strictly curb such tendency.”

The judge asked for immediate arrest of Malik, her husband and Shakil-ur-Rahman who are reportedly living in the United Arab Emirates.

"26 years! Come on. 26 years is a lifetime...But I have faith in higher courts in Pakistan," Malik said according to Gulf News.

"I have faced highs and lows in my life. But I am sure I haven't done anything wrong."

The court's verdict will only be enforced in the city of Gilgit which is in shared control between the India-claimed Kashmir region and Pakistan.

The ruling will not be enforced in the rest of Pakistan as Gilgit is not considered a proper providence of Pakistan, the Independent reports.

The convicted parties were also ordered to pay a fine of 3 million rupees ($12,630) and surrender their passports.

The court case is the latest controversy surrounding the Bollywood actress.

In 2011, she caused a stir when she posed for risque pictures for Indian FHM.

(The Guardian.com)

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