Anushka Sharma starrer Pari has been banned in Pakistan citing reasons that it “promotes black magic, non-Islamic values, and anti-Muslim sentiments.” Other reason, as reported by a Pakistani media agency is that the film has some objectional sequences where Quran verses have been used.

“The film not only mixed Quranic verses with Hindu chants but also portrayed Muslims in a negative light as they were shown using Quranic verses to do black magic,” said a source from Pakistan’s censor board.

“Pari’s script, dialogues, and storyline go against our Islamic values. The concepts within Islam have different ideologies about magic. This film stimulates the viewers in favour of black magic and promotes thoughts that are contradictory to our religion,” said a Pakistan Censor Board senior member.

Pakistan Film Distributors’ Association has agreed with the decision of the Censor Board and hence will not play its role in the release of the film in the country.

“Any film that goes against our culture and Islamic history should be banned in Pakistan,” said Pakistan Film Distributors’ Association chairman Chaudhary Ejaz Kamra.

Pakistan has a history of banning Indian films on several grounds. Last month, it banned Akshay Kumar starrer Padman saying it dealt with a taboo subject. Padman was a film based on menstrual hygiene.