By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan
A famous Pakistani pop singer-turned-preacher is being investigated by police for alleged blasphemous remarks.
Junaid Jamshed, once a pioneer of Pakistani pop music, was the target of a complaint made by a leader from an opposing school of thought.
He is accused of mentioning Ayesha, the wife of Islam's prophet Muhammad, as an example while making an argument about the "failings" of women.
“This was my mistake. It was because of lack of knowledge and ignorance. I seek forgiveness of Allah with the core of my heart, and also beg to all Muslims to forgive me for this mistake,” Jamshed said after the videoed comments went viral.
Sheeraz Nazeer, a city police chief, said further action will be taken against Jamshed after the investigation. He has not yet been arrested because, according to his family, he is out of the country.
Rights groups believe Pakistan's blasphemy law is often used to settle personal scores against religious minorities. The law's supporters say it prevents vigilante action when dealing with sensitive religious matters.
A Christian couple was publicly lynched by a mob in the northeastern city of Lahore last month for alleged blasphemous remarks against the prophet Muhammad.
Currently, nearly 600 cases of blasphemy are pending in the courts, more than 400 involve Muslims.
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