Junaid Jamshed pop star-turned-preacher booked for blasphemy in Pakistan

Islamabad: A pop singer-turned-preacher in Pakistan has been booked under the country's controversial blasphemy law for alleged profanity against one of the Prophet Mohammed's wives.

Junaid Jamshed, reportedly committed blasphemy in a video which went viral on social networking sites, creating anger among the conservative Muslims. Mobin Qadri of rightwing Sunni Tehreek filed a complaint against Jamshed for alleged blasphemy in Rasala Police Station in Karachi.

Local police officer Madad Ali Zardari told media that a case has been registered under blasphemy laws against the former singer and police can arrest him for questioning. Jamshed was a lead singer of the 1980s band 'Vital Signs'. Later, he left his successful singing career to adopt more conservative Islamic lifestyle.

He is now a member of the Tablighi Jamaat -- a Sunni Muslim evangelical organisation known for its rigidly conservative views.

Watch: Junaid Jamshed apoligising for controversial remarks on Prophet wife

There are reports that Jamshed is out of country these days.

The 50-year-old former pop star had earlier released a video on Facebook in which he admitted he had erred and pleaded emotionally for forgiveness. The number of blasphemy cases being lodged with police in Pakistan has been steadily rising in recent years. Even unproven allegations often prompt mob retribution.

On November 4, a Christian labourer and his pregnant wife were beaten by a mob of 1,500 people then thrown on top of a lit furnace in a crazed reaction to rumours they had thrown pages of the Koran into the garbage.