Pak grapples with Veena's declaration of assets

Jokes spread on Pakistani social media sites like twitter about Veena Malik's picture in the nude.

As the back-and-forth between actress Veena Malik and FHM India over the nude cover continued into its third day on Sunday, many Pakistanis on social media networks Facebook and Twitter have asked Veena Malik to join the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan as "she had declared her assets" -- a key condition Imran has set for those who was to join his political party.

Humour and anger spread on the webosphere, with a number of jokes and photographs focusing on how Veena Malik had 'shown' her assets as per Imran Khan doctrine went viral. "Since you have declared all your assets in accordance with Imran Khan's demand, you should immediately join his Tehrik-e-Insaaf", suggested one Mehtab Ahmed to Veena on facebook. Another message on Twitter by Raja Fawad says: "Having shown your assets, unlike many others who are willing to join hands with Imran Khan, you have proved that you are much more gutsy than many others".

Commenting on the latest FHM cover, one tweeter Sadaf Iqbal said "Veena Malik would make a terrible ISI agent considering how much she reveals." At the same time, however, Veena also received her share of detractors.

On a Facebook page floated to hate all things Indian, the administrator posted: "Shameless Veena Malik poses naked for men's magazine FHM. Notice the ISI tattoo on her arm. This gesture from eastern neighbour speaks of their frustration and hatred towards the ISI. Veena Malik shame on you". Over 80 comments followed requesting members of the page to ask Pakistan's Supreme Court to cancel Veena's nationality and to make sure that she does not live in the country.

Zubair Khan, a shopkeeper in Peshawar said the photo had given rival India another opportunity to insult Pakistan. "She has earned a bad name for the entire Pakistan nation," he said.

Feminist commentators, while supporting Veena's decision to pose nude, wondered if it also amounted to real empowerment. "Why 'empowerment' and a 'free life' mean no clothes?" tweeted Ayesha Malik.