Bollywood actress sentenced to 26 years in jail for blasphemy in Pakistan
Pakistani actresses Veena Malik (L) and Sheeba Bhatt pose for photographers during a press conference in the North Indian city of Chandigarh May 26, 2004. (Reuters)
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.
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.
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